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HISTORY 



OF THE 



FOaTY-EIGHTH OHIO VET. VOL. IP. 

Ijiliilig a Complete /Iccolmt of the fiegimept 



FROM ITS ORGANIZATION AT CAMP DENNISON, O., IN 
OCTOBER, 1861, TO THE CLOSE OF THE 
WAR, AND ITS FINAL MUSTER- 
OUT, MAY 10, 1866. 

INCLUDING 

All Its Marches, Camps, Battles, Battle-Scenes, Skir- 
mishes, Sieves, Bivouacs, Picketing, Forag- 
ing and Scouting ; With Its Capture, 
Prison Life and Exchange. 

EMBRACING, ALSO, 

AN ACCOUNT OF THE ESCAPE AND RE-CAPTURE OF 

MAJOR J. A. BERING AND LIEUT. W. J. SROFE, 

AND THE CLOSING EVENTS OF THE WAR 

IN THE TRANS -MISSISSIPPI DEP't. 



JOHN A. BERING, 

Late Major iStk Ohio, and 

THOMAS MONTGOMERY, 

Late Captain iSth Ohio. 



HILLSBORO, OHIO : 
PRINTED AT THE HIGHLAND NEWS OFFICE. 
18^ 






% 



V 










?y 



.5 , 



TO THE MEMORY OF 

OUR FALLEN COMRADES, 

WHO DIED IN DEFENSE OF THEIR COUNTRY IN THE WAR 

OF THE REBELLION, WHETHER THEY FELL UPON 

THE BATTLE-FIELD OR WASTED AWAY FROM 

WOUNDS AND DISEASE IN HOSPITALS 

AND PRISONS ; WHETHER THEY 

LIE BURIED IN LONELY SOUTHERN 

FIELDS OR RETURNED HOME TO SUFFER AND 

SINK INTO UNTIMELY GRAVES, THIS VOLUME IS MOST 

AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED 

BY^ THE AUTHORS. 



PREFACE. 

Our object, in writing the History of the Forty- 
eighth Ohio, was to preserve the record of a Regi- 
ment whose services, extending over a period of 
nearly five years, had gained for it the reputation 
of having done its whole duty, whether in camp, 
on the march, or in the trying hour of battle, as 
attested by its Brigade and Division Commanders. 
We began arranging and compiling the material, 
consisting of our old army letters, diaries, compa- 
ny record, official reports, etc. etc., in 1870, and 
had it ready for the press in 1873 ; but owing to 
various causes we have delayed its publication 
until the present time. 

We were both present with the Regiment, from 
the time we joined it at Camp Dennison, in Octo- 
ber, 1861, until one made his escape from prison, 
in August, 1864, and the other, until mustered 
out in January, 1865 ; therefore we were eye-wit- 
nesses to, and participated in, the varied events 
narrated. 

The record, from January, 1865, until the final 



PREFACE. Viii 

muster-out, May lo, 1866, was furnished principal- 
ly by Lieut. James Douglas. We are also indebt- 
ed to Lieut. W. J. Srofe for many items covering 
the same period. 

In conclusion, we will say to the surviving mem- 
bers of the Regiment, that we do not claim any 
merit for this volume as a literary production. It 
is simply a narration of events, as seen by us, and 
was written at intervals, as the time could be 
spared from a busy life. Should it meet the ap- 
probation of our comrades, and be the means of 
perpetuating the deeds and memory of those who 
gave up their lives for the cause for which we 
fought, we will feel ourselves fully compensated 
for our labor. J. A. B. and T. M. 

Lynchburg, Highland Co., O., 
June, 1880. 



CONTENTS. 

HISTORY OF THE FORTY-EIGHTH OHIO. 

CHAPTER I. 
The Fall of Fort Sumpter — President's Call for Vol- 
unteers — Organization of a Company at Lynchburg — 
Recruiting at Camp Harvey — Muster-in at Webertown 

— Farewell Sermon. pp. 1—5 

CHAPTER n. 
Leaving Lynchburg — Arrival at Camp Dennison — As- 
signed to Quarters — Drill — Uniforms — Tents — Vis- 
its of Citizens of Lynchburg — Presentation of Swords 

— New Quarters — First Payment — Full Companies 

— Regiment Full— Field and Staff— Band— Monot- 
ony of Camp Life. pp. 6—11 

CHAPTER HL 
Marching Orders — Steamboat Ride Down the Ohio — 
Paducah — Without Arms — Rumors of an Attack — 
Armed with Austrian Rifles — Up the Tennessee — Fort 
Henry — Hog Mountain — First Shot — Savannah — 
Pittsburg Landing — Death of Capt. Ireland — Rebel 
Graves — Disembarking — First Camp. pp. 12 — 16 

CHAPTER IV. 
Camp at Shiloh Church — Reconnoisance — Lieut. Greer 
Captured — Orders for Strict Watch — Battle Immi- 
nent — The Attack of April 6th — Long-Roll — In Line 
of Battle — To the Support of the Pickets — Counter- 
March — Second Line of Battle —The Rebel Charge 
and Repulse — Arrival of Capt. Hammond — Orders 
to Retreat — New Position — Repulse of the Enemy — 



X CONTENTS. 

Camp of the 81st Ohio — Arrival at the Landing — 
Advance to Support a Battery — The Rebel Charge — 
Their Repulse and Retreat — Arrival of Gen. Buell's 
Troops — Night — Rain. pp. 17—24 

CHAPTER V. 
Battle of the Seventh — The Final Rout — Reoccnpylng 
Our Camps — The Battle-field — Burial of the Dead — 
Following the Enemy on the Eighth — The Attack on 
the 77th Ohio — The 48th Ohio to Their Support — Re- 
turn to Camp — Our Dead and Wounded — Extracts 
from the Cincinnati Dailies — The Battle No Surprise 

— Loss in Both Armies — Extracts from Gen. Sher- 
man's Official Report — Arrival of the Sanitary Com- 
mission — Gen. Halleck Takes Command — Band Dis- 
charged — Drill. pp. 25 — 40 

CHAPTER VL 
On the Road to Corinth — Order to March — Joke on 
Sergeant Reed — First Earthworks — Second Advance 

— Camp Number Six — Engagement at the Russell 
House — Talk with the Rebel Pickets — Separation of 
Mother and Child — Last Line of Earthworks — Evac- 
uation of Corinth — The Pursuit and Return — Com- 
parison of the Two Armies. pp. 41 — 50 

CHAPTER Vn. 
On to Memphis — Visit of Thomas Peale, Esq., of Lynch- 
burg — Return of Lieut. Col. Parker — La-Grange — 
Moscow — Lafayette — Newton and the Snake — Return 
to Moscow — March to Holly Springs and Return — 
Contrabands — On the March to Memphis — White 
Station — Memphis — Camp at Fort Pickering — Maj. 
Wise and Lieut. Fields Resign — Return of Absentees 

— On Provost Guard — Cincinnati Reported Captured 

— Trip to Randolph — Rebel Cotton Burners. 

pp. 51 — 59 



CONTENTS. XI 

CHAPTER VIII. 
Expedition for Vicksburg — Marching Orders — Down 
the Mississippi — Milliken's Bend — Up the Yazoo — 
March Through the Swamps — First Attack on Vicks- 
burg — Picketing — Evacuation — Up the Mississippi 
and Arkansas Kivers — Arkansas Post — Battle and 
Capture of the Garrison — Loss in Killed and Wounded. 

pp. 60—68 
CHAPTER IX. 
Return Down the River — Napoleon — Young's Point — 
Digging the Canal — Overflowed — Scheme Abandoned 

— Pioneer Corps — Promotions — Arrival of General 
Grant — New Camp — Milliken's Bend — Change of Sur- 
geons — Paymaster — Complimentary Order — Major 
Moats — Military Board — Seventeenth Ohio Battery. 

pp. 69—74 
CHAPTER X. 
Marching Orders — To the Rear of Vicksburg — Holmes' 
Plantation — Extract from General Sherman's '' Me- 
moirs " — Our Gun-boats Passing the Vicksburg Bat- 
teries — Smith's Landing — Return of Lieut. Col. 
Parker — Lake St. Joe — Grand Gulf — Crossing the 
Mississippi at Bruinsburg — Battle of Magnolia Hills 

— Port Gibson — Grind-Stone Ford — Foragers — Rocky 
Springs — Willow Springs — Cayuga — Gen. Sherman's 

. Visit — Old Auburn — Raymond — Battle of Champion 
Hills — Black River Bridge . pp. 75—84 

CHAPTER XI. 

Assault on the Nineteenth — Attack on the Twentieth — 

Charge on the Twenty-Second — Our Flag on the Rebel 

Fort — Retreat After Night — Killed and Wounded — 

Extract from Cincinnati Commercial — Flag of Truce 

— Burying the Dead — Picketing and Mining — Blow- 
ing Up of Fort Hill — Surrender of Vicksburg, July 4th. 

pp. 85—95 



Xll ^ CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XII. 
Marching Orders for Jackson — Excessive Heat — Siege 
of Jackson — Gen. Johnston Evacuates — Return to 
Vicksburg — Furloughs — Col. P. J. Sullivan Resigns 

— Steamer "City of Madison " Blown Up — Embarking 
for New Orleans — Camp at CarroUton — Grand Re- 
view by Gens. Grant and Banks — Extract from New 
Orleans Era. pp. 96—106 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Ordered to Western Louisiana — Berwick City — Teche 

Country — Franklin — Orange Groves — Election for 

Governor of Ohio — Guarding Steamers on the Teche — 

Surprise of the First Brigade — New Iberia — Foraging 

— Protection Papers. pp. 107 — 111 

CHAPTER XIV. 
Ordered to New Orleans — Embarking for Texas — Trip 
Across the Gulf — De Crow's Point — Dog-Tents — Dis- 
tributing the Amnesty Proclamation — Planting the 
Flag in Texas — Skirmish Drill — Fishing and Gather- 
ing Shells — Short Rations — Cold New Year — Veterans 

— Ordered on Board a Condemned Vessel — Return to 
New Orleans — Re-enlisting — Veteran Medals — Pro- 
motions, pp. 112 — 125 

CHAPTER XV. 
Ordered to Franklin — Guarding Pontoon Train — Alexan- 
dria — Natchitoches — Capture of Pavy and McCune — 
Guarding the Wagon Train — Battle of Sabine Cross 
Roads — Out of Ammunition— Enemy in the Rear — Re- 
treat Cut Off — Capture — On Our Way to Prison— Ex- 
tracts from Gen. Ransom's Official Report — Number 
Captured — Extracts from Report of Committee on Con- 
duct of the War — The Rebel General Taylor's Report 
of the Battle — First Night as Prisoners — Confederate 
Rations — School House — Marshall — Flag Song. 

pp. 126—151 



Xlll CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Arrival at Camp Ford— The Stockade— Building Huts — 
Col. Allen Relieved by Col. Border — Adjutant Mc- 
Eachan — "Keno" — Tied Up by the Thumbs — Rations 
Cut Oflf— The Famous Order, "Kill All Recaptured 
Prisoners" — New Recruits from Gen. Steel's Army — 
Building Hospital — Poisonous Insects— Fourth of July 
Celebration — Exchange of One Thousand Prisoners 
— New "Cart-el" — Tunneling — Our Flag in Prison — Dif- 
ferent Trades — Inflation Prices — Old Citizen Dumped 
— Brutal Treatment of Prisoners — Escape of Maj. 
Bering and Lieut. Srofe — New Commander. 

pp. 152—170 
CHAPTER XVII. 

Paroled — Leaving Camp Ford — Arrival at Four-Mile 
Spring — Maj. Bering and Lieut. Srofe on Their Way 
Back to Prison— Journey to Grand Ecore — Camped at 
Alexandria — Arrival at the Mississippi — Exchanged — 
The Old Flag— New Orleans— Col. Dwight — Natchez — 
Provost Guard — Consolidated with the 83d Ohio — 
Home on Veteran Furlough. pp. 171 — 180 

CHAPTER XVIII. 
Preparation for Active Service Again — Brigaded with 
Colored Troops— Embarking for New Orleans — Arrival 
at Barrancas, Fla. — Prison Veterans Re-join from Fur- 
lough — Pascagoula — Ft. Blakely Invested — The Charge 
and Capture— Up the Alabama River — Selma — Return 
to Mobile — Explosion of Rebel Ammunition — Ordered 
to Texas — Arrival at Galveston — Muster-Out of the 
83d Ohio— The Old 48th Ohio Itself Again— Ordered to 
Houston — Break-Bone Fever — Back to Galveston — Pro- 
motions — On Various Duties — Final Muster-Out — Ar- 
rival at Columbus — Home and a Quiet Life — Reid's 
History of the 48th Ohio — Testimonials of Brigade and 
Division Commanders. pp. 181—197 



XIV CONTENTS. 

THE ESCAPE AND RE-CAFTUKE 

OF MAJ. J. A. BERING AND LIEUT. W. J. SROFE. 

CHAPTER I. 
Preparing Rations — The Forged Pass — Concealed in Sight 
of Prison—" Ten O'Clock and All's Well "—Crossing 
the Sabine River— Crossing the Bridge at the Mill— 
Tho Blood-Hounds on Our Trail — Run Into a Trap — 
Hounds Baffled — Escape — Man with a Gun— Passing 
Around a Village — An All Night Tramp — Moonlight 
View of the Country — Hounds on the Trail x\gain— 
Narrow Escape from the Hounds — Parching Corn Un- 
der Difficulties — Lost in a Dark Swamp — Waiting for 
the Moon to Rise. pp. 201—215 

CHAPTER H. 
Making a Raft — Crossing Little Cypress — Wading the 
Overflowed Bottoms — Crossing Big Cypress — Crossing 
Sulphur Fork -^Wading and Swimming — Pass for a 
Rebel Deserter— Begging for Something to Eat — Re- 
lating Camp Rumors — Journey Interrupted by Rain — 
Capturing a Slave on a Mule — In the Indian Territory 

— Out of Our Course — Conversation with Three Slaves 

— The First Dinner — Carried Down the Stream — A 
Night Among the Owls and xMosquitos— Fording Little 
River. pp. 216—228 

CHAPTER III. 
The Arkansas Hills— The Hum of the Spinning-Wheel-^ 
The Last Match— Roast Pumpkin and Parched Corn- 
Almost Home— Re-Captured— Bound With Ropes— 
A Retrograde Movement — -Another Unfortunate Yan- 
kee — On Exhibition — Entertained by Young Ladies— 
The Old Lady's Lecture on the War — -Sent to Wash- 
ington, Arkansas — The Guests in the Parlor — In the 
Court House — Offer of "Jewelry "—Rebel Officers on a 
Spree — On the Road to Camden— Battle-Field of Prairie 



CONTENTS. • XV 

d' Ann— Eating Two Days' Rations for Supper — Slaugh- 
ter of the Colored Troops— No Quarter, pp. 229—240 

CHAPTER IV. 
In the Cotton-Shed at Camden— Pandemonium— Sent to 
the Hospital—On the Road Again— Guarded by Blood- 
Hounds — Prisoners Lassoed— WadingThrough a Stream 
by Request — ^Arrival at Shreveport— Meeting Our Regi- 
ment Homeward Bound— Our First Mail^-No Water 
for " Yankees " — Camp Ford— Home Again— Sentenced 
—Our New Cabin — Northers— Presidential Election- 
Tramping in the Ring. pp. 241—555 

CHAPTER V. 
The Rebel Army Ordered to Richmond, Va.— The Troops 
Refuse to Cross the Mississippi — Invasion of Missouri 
— Rebel Soldiers Plundering their Own People — Burial 
of the Beef — Plot to Overpower the Guards — 1,200 
Prisoners Exchanged — Their Condition When They 
Reached New Orleans — The Last Ditch— Foreign Inter* 
vention — Lee's Surrender — The War to Last Forty 
Years Longer — ''The Gates Ajar" — The Homeward Jour- 
ney — Under the Old Flag— Mustered Out — Description 
of Camp Ford, Three Months After our Departure — De- 
struction of Camp Ford. pp. 256 — 272 

APPENDIX. 
Additional List of Killed and Wounded of the 48th Ohio 
Vet. Vols. — List of Officers of the 13th Army Corps, 
Prisoners at Camp Ford, Texas — Roster of the Com- 
missioned Officers of the 48th Ohio Vet. Vols. 

pp. 273—284 



ERRATUM. 

On page 64, line 14, for 40,000 men, read 30,000. 



HISTORY 



FORTY- EIGHTH OHIO 

Veteran Volunteer Infantry. 



CHAPTER I. 



The Fall of Fort Sumpter — President's Call for Vol- 
unteers — Organization of a Company at Lynchburg — 
Recruiting at Camp Harvey — Muster-in at Webertown 
— Farewell Sermon. 

HJpHE memorable political campaign of i860, 
W^ that resulted in the election of Abraham Lin- 
coln as President, was over. The Southern States, 
which had made threats of leaving the Union be- 
fore his election, began to secede, one after anoth- 
er, and the whole country was in a state of fever- 
ish excitement. 

No one seemed to be able to avert the coming 
storm. Thus matters stood, until that eventful day 
for us, as a nation, arrived. On the 12th day of 
April, 1861, Gen. Beauregard made the attack on 
Fort Sumpter, which, after a terrific bombardment 



2 HISTORY OF THE 

of thirty-six hours, the garrison, under command 
of Maj. Anderson, was compelled to surrender to 
the Confederate forces. 

When the startling news flashed over the wires, 
the whole North, from the "shores of Maine, to 
the Pacific Slope," arose in its might. Ignoring 
party lines, the people rallied under the immortal 
words of Gen. Jackson, "The Union —it must and 
shall be preserved." Then the President called 
for seventy-five thousand men, to serve three 
months, which many believed would settle the 
whole affair. But no sooner had the call been 
filled, and the troops sent to the front, than they 
were outnumbered by the seceding States at every 
point. 

Another call was made by the President, this 
time for three hundred thousand volunteers, to 
serve three years, unless sooner discharged. Fol- 
lowing the call came the reverse at Bull Run, 
which fell with stunning effect on the over-confi- 
dent North. The whole effort of the Government 
was now concentrated on a vigorous prosecution 
of the war. 

Up to this time volunteers had been leaving 
Lynchburg, Ohio, singly and in squads of three 
and four, to join the regiments then organizing in 
Camp Dennison, Ohio. A company of Home 
Guards had been organized in August ; but no one 
had succeeded in raising a company for service 
in the field until John W. Frazee, who had been 
teaching a select school at Lynchburg, proposed 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 3 

to raise a company for active service, for one 
year, to be attached to the 6oth Reg't. O. V. I., 
then organizing at Hillsboro, Ohio. He had no 
difficulty in collecting around him fifteen or twen- 
ty men, who formed the nucleus of what after- 
wards became Company C, 48th Reg't. O. V. I. 

Sept. 20th, i86t, the company numbered twen- 
ty-seven men. An election of commissioned and 
non-commissioned officers was held in the school- 
house at Lynchburg, which resulted in the election 
of J. W. Frazee, Captain ; Peter Brown, ist Lieut.; 
T. L. Fields, 2d Lieut.; Wm. A. Quarterman, ist 
Sergt. ; W. A. Pratt, J. A. Bering and Frank Hol- 
laday. Sergeants. After the election, the com- 
pany, with two or three exceptions, decided to en- 
list for three years. 

The company being in need of quarters, Mr. Jo- 
siah Harvey tendered us the use of his warehouse, 
which was accepted and named, "Camp Harvey." 

Regular excursions were made by the company 
from the camp to the neighboring villages, where 
rousing war meetings were held, and sumptuous 
meals spread before the young soldiers, which 
generally resulted in getting new recruits. In the 
course of our travels we visited Dodsonville, Al- 
lensburg, Danville, Pricetown, McCarty's School- 
House, Fayetteville, and Webertown. At the lat- 
ter place, on the 3d day of October, 186 1, after a 
grand supper in Liggett's Grove, the company, 
numbering sixty men, was sworn into the Unit- 
ed States service by Capt. J. W. Frazee, who had 



4 HISTORY OF THE 

just returned from Columbus, with the proper au- 
thority. The company then returned to Camp 
Harvey, and soldiering, as we then considered it, 
began in earnest. We drilled twice a day, guards 
were posted, passes and furloughs issued, and 
strict discipline was enforced. And last, but not 
least, regular details for cooks were made each 
day. A two-horse wagon accompanied us on our 
trips, and hauled all surplus provisions to camp. 
Great credit is due the patriotic citizens of Lynch- 
burg and vicinity, for their liberality in contribut- 
ing to those grand dinners and suppers, and in 
furnishing Camp Harvey, free of all expense to 
the Government, the necessary supplies. The la- 
dies, in particular, will be ever held in grateful 
remembrance, for their untiring efforts in con- 
tributing everything necessary to make us com- 
fortable. Where all did so nobly for our common 
cause, it is difficult to particularize any one, but 
we cannot pass by the names of those that devot- 
ed their time and labor in organizing war meet- 
ings and making patriotic speeches. Foremost 
among them were Dr. S. J. Spees, Dr. R. Fulton, 
Rev. N. W. Cummins, Hon. A. D. Coombs, Isaac 
Robb, and many others. To such patriotic citi- 
zens was due, in a great measure, the promptness 
with which the company was recr-ited and sent 
to the field, while other companies were months 
in Camp Dennison before they were rilled. 

The company remained at Camp Harvey until 
Monday, Oct. 14th, when we were ordered to 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 5 

Camp Dennison. The day preceding, the compa- 
ny assembled in the M. E, church, at 2 o'clock 
P. M., when Rev. Dr. Fulton preached our fare- 
well sermon, to a large congregation. This was 
jestingly called our " funeral sermon," which, alas! 
proved too true to many. Of the twenty-three 
of the company that were killed, or who died from 
disease during the war, not one was ever known 
to have a sermon preached at his funeral. 



HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER II. 

Leaving Lynchburg — Arrival at Camp Dennison — As- 
signed to Quarters — Drill — Uniforms — Tents — Vis- 
its of Citizens of Lynchburg — Presentation of Swords 

— New Quarters — First Payment — Full Companies 

— Regiment Full — Field and Staff— Band— Monot- 
ony of Camp Life. 

I^N the mean time, Capt. Frazee had been to 
i8 Camp Dennison, and decided to attach his 
company to the 48th Regt. O. V. L, Col. Sullivan, 
commanding. Long before dawn on the 14th, 
the people of the surrounding country began to 
wend their way to Lynchburg, to witness the com- 
pany's departure, which now numbered 82, offi- 
cers and men. iYfter parading through the prin- 
cipal streets, we halted in front of our camp, and 
took leave of our families and friends. The part- 
ing over, we boarded the cars, and were off to join 
our Regiment. 

We arrived at Camp Dennison at 10 A. M. and 
were introduced to Colonel P. J. Sullivan, who 
welcomed us in a short, patriotic speech, after 
which we gave him three rousing cheers, and 
were marched to the quarters of Capt. Parker's 
company, from New Lexington, Highland county, 
Ohio, where we partook of our first meal, furnish- 
ed by "Uncle Sam," which consisted of coffee, 



FORTY EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 7 

rice, potatoes, bacon and bread. Quite a change 
from Camp Harvey rations, of beefsteak, roast 
chicken, cakes, pies, preserves, &c., &c. After 
dinner we were examined by a regular Army Sur- 
geon. Our previous examination had been made 
by Dr. S, J. Spees. The surgeon rejected R. B. 
Barnett, Peter Snider, WilHam Stroup and John 
Aber ; but they were finally accepted, and the ma- 
jority of them proved as able for the service as 
many others, who passed the examination. We 
were then assigned to our quarters, consisting of 
frame shanties, ten by twelve feet, with room suf- 
ficient to accommodate twelve men. Each compa- 
ny had eight shanties, one kitchen, and a building 
for the officers. 

We have given the history of the company, from 
its organization until it linked its fortunes with the 
48th Ohio. And now we will trace the history of 
the Regiment, through the long and tedious years 
of the war. 

The every day duty of the Regiment was squad, 
company and battalion drill, with dress parade in 
the evening, besides regular guard and fatigue 
duty. On Sundays, at 9 o'clock A. M., the com- 
panies were drawn up in a line, and inspected by 
their respective Captains. After the inspection 
the first Sergeants read the "Articles of War," in 
which nearly every other section ended, "Any vio- 
lator of said section shall suffer death, or such other 
punishment as by a court martial shall be inflict- 
ed." 



8 HISTORY OF THE 

After inspection the companies were dismissed 
until II o'clock A. M. when they were marched 
to the Colonel's quarters, where a sermon was 
preached by the Chaplain. With dress-parade in 
the evening, the Sabbath day duties were closed, 
excepting for those on guard. 

Oct. 20th, we received our suits of blue, and on 
the day following our tents, and were instructed 
in pitching and striking tents. Oct. 28th, the citi- 
zens ot Lynchburg and vicinity sent a large dele- 
gation, with well-filled baskets, and three beautiful 
regulation swords, and presented them to Capt. 
Frazee, Lieutenants Brown and Fields, Hon. A.D. 
Coombs making the presentation address, which 
was pronounced by all who heard it, truly elo- 
quent and very appropriate for the occasion. The 
officers responded, by pledging themselves never 
to betray the confidence reposed in them by their 
friends. Remarks were also made by Gen. M. S. 
Wade, Commanding Officer of Camp Dennison, 
and Col. Sullivan. 

Nov. 8th, we moved out of the old shanties into 
tents, to enable the carpenters to remove them and 
build new quarters. We remained in the tents 
until the latter part of the month, when we took 
possession of our new buildings. They were 
large and comfortable; 100 feet long by 22 feet 
wide, with three tiers of bunks, the full length, on 
each side, capable of accommodating 98 men, with 
a large, commodious kitchen in the rear, and a 
separate building for the use of the commissioned 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 9 

officers of each company. Two large wood-stoves 
were furnished each building for heating purposes, 
making very comfortable quarters for the winter. 

Jan. 15th, the Paymaster arrived, and paid our 
Regiment up to the first of January, which settled 
the oft-disputed question whether we would ever 
get any pay for our services. All under five dol- 
lars was paid in coin, and all above that sum in 
U. S. demand notes, redeemable in coin. It is 
needless to add, that we never saw any more hard 
money during the war. While the money lasted, 
the sutler did a flourishing business on the cash 
basis, but it was not of long duration; for he was 
soon compelled to adopt the credit system again. 

The fall we went to Camp Dennison was warm 
and dry, until late in the season, when it turned 
cold and very wet. This, with the heavy guard- 
duty to perform, produced considerable sickness. 
The latter part of January, from twenty-five to 
thirty men were on the sick list in each company, 
and the quarters had the appearance of a hospital. 
The general health did not improve much until 
the middle of February, although none of the cases 
proved fatal at the time. The close confinement 
to camp, and the strict discipline, made the Regi- 
ment very restless, and in the latter part of Jan- 
uary recruiting had almost come to a stand-still. 
The companies that had their complement of men 
were : companies A, Capt. Parker, Highland 
county ; B, Capt. Warner, Delaware county ; C, 
Capt. Frazee, Highland county; D, Capt. Elwood, 



lO HISTORY OF THE 

Clinton county ; E, Capt. Ireland, Miami county ; 
F, Capt. Moats, Defiance county; G, Capt. Miller, 
Brown county ; K, Capt. Peterson, Cincinnati ; 
leaving H and I scarcely organized. But a call 
had been made for troops for the South west, 
therefore the two companies were made up by 
transferring the surplus from those companies that 
had over eighty-two men. 

The companies were lettered and occupied their 
positions in the Regiment in the rotation of the 
alphabet, and remained so during the service. It 
has been stated that but one other regiment from 
Ohio had been organized in the same manner. 

The Regiment having its full number of compa- 
nies, and the required number of men to entitle 
it to the full complement of field and staff officers. 
Governor Dennison made the following appoint- 
ments: Peter J. Sullivan, Colonel ; J. R. Parker, 
Lieut.- Col. ; Jas. S. Wise, Major ; M. F. Gary, Sur- 
geon ; A. A. Johnson, Ass't Surgeon; R. C. Mc- 
Gill, Adjutant ; W. E. Brayman, Quartermaster; 
John F. Spence, Chaplain. Col. Sullivan appoint- 
ed the following non-commissioned staff: H. C. 
Stewart,Quartermaster Serg't.; Ed. Conklin, Serg't. 
Major; Doctor Boone, Hospital Steward. At con- 
siderable expense, silver cornet instruments were 
purchased for the Band, which had been recruited 
for the Regiment. 

Camp life was getting to be very monotonous 
and irksome, and the time seemed long to us, ly- 
ing thus inactive in camp, while every train was 



FORTY -EIGHTH O. V. V. I. TI 

loaded with troops going to the front, to engage in 
active service. Our ideas of war, then, were rath- 
er of a romantic order. A skirmish, we supposed, 
would be a recreation, and a battle a real enjoy- 
ment, and some were even worried for fear the 
war would be over before we arrived, and peace 
declared before we ever fired a gun. But these 
romantic notions passed away, in the active ser- 
vice which soon followed. 



12 HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER III. 

Marching Orders — Steamboat Ride Down the Ohio — 
Paducah — Without Arms — Rumors of an Attack — 
Armed with Austrian Rifles — Up the Tennessee — Fort 
Henry — Hog Mountain — First Shot — Savannah — 
Pittsburg Landing — Death of Capt. Ireland — Rebel 
Graves — Disembarking — First Camp. 

I^UNDAY, February i6, 1862, while at Divine 
^S service in Company K's quarters, we received 
orders to leave the following morning, for Padu- 
cah, Ky. All was now bustle and confusion. 
There were letters to write, rations to cook, knap- 
sacks to pack, teams to load, &c., &c., but at it 
we went with enthusiasm, and by hard work we 
were ready at the appointed time. What it took 
us then twenty-four hours to do, we accomplished 
afterward at a moment's warning. We did not 
get started until 2:15 P. M., leaving the sick be- 
hind in the hospital. We arrived in Cincinnati at 
3 P. M., marched through the lower part of the 
city, and halted at the public landing. Compa- 
nies B, C, D and E, embarked on the steamer 
Hastings, the rest of the Regiment and the Band 
on the steamer Argonaut. 

The boats being small, we were necessarily very 
much crowded. Left Cincinnati during the night, 
and owing to the novelty of the trip, we were all 



FORTY -EIGHTH O. V. V. I. I3 

out at early dawn, on the hurricane deck, to get a 
glimpse of the country. The sun rose beautifully, 
but the air was cold. After roll-call on the hurri- 
cane deck, we spread our blankets aad lay down 
in the sun to enjoy our free ride. We passed Lou- 
isville in the evening, and on account of the low 
stage of the river, we had some difficulty in getting 
over the falls. The following day it commenced 
raining and turned to sleet in the afternoon, which 
made it very unpleasant outside of the cabin. 

We arrived at Paducah, Ky., the following day, 
Feb. 20th, disembarked, and marched up the Ten- 
nessee river a half mile, and pitched our tents in 
the old camp of the 8th Mo. Reg't. We found it 
in good condition. The streets had been gravel- 
ed, and rude furnaces were under each tent. We 
now commenced, our picket, fatigue and guard duty 
in the enemy's country. We were still without arms, 
and when ordered on picket were compelled to 
use old, worthless muskets. There was not even 
a sufficient supply of that kind of arms, therefore 
we were compelled to transfer them to each suc- 
ceeding relief. 

Sending us into the enemy's country without 
arms created considerable dissatisfaction in the 
Regiment. Rumors came in thick, that the Reb- 
els, who were in strong force at Columbus, Ky,, 
only thirty miles distant, were preparing for an at- 
tack on Paducah. We remained in camp, engag- 
ed in drilling, fatigue, guard and picket duty, until 
March 5th, when we were armed with the Austrian 



14 HISTORY OF THE 

Rifle, which proved to be an inferior gun, especi- 
ally for continued, rapid firing. We were drilled 
in the manual of arms, and all preparations were 
made to repel an attack from the enemy. 

March 6t]j, we were ordered up the Tennessee 
River. We were placed in the 4th Brigade, 5th 
Division, Army of the Tennessee. The Brigade 
was composed of the 48th, 70th and yad Reg'ts. O. 
V. I., and commanded by Col. R. P. Buckland, of 
the 72d, Gen. W. T. Sherman commanding the 
Division. In organizing the Division and Brigade, 
Lieuts. Partridge and Coverdale were detached on 
staff duty, which severed their connection with the 
Regiment. 

We embarked on the steamer Empress, which 
had a supply of commissary stores, also 200 head 
of beef cattle for the army. The sick were left be* 
hind in the Gothic Hospital. We proceeded up 
the Tennessee river to Fort Henry, where the army 
was concentrating, and arrived there the following 
day, March 8th. The steamer moved about six 
miles up the river, where the Regiment was per- 
mitted to disembark, to enable the soldiers to cook 
their rations, and practice with the new Austrian 
rifles. Some of the Regiment did not stop at tar- 
get-practice, but tried their skill on a lot of hogs. 
This was the first foraging that the Regiment in- 
dulged in. In referring to that place afterward, it 
was designated as " Hog Mountain." In the eve- 
ing the boat dropped back to Fort Henry. 

On the 9th the fleet, consisting of eighty-two 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. 1. I5 

steamers, loaded with troops, started up the river, 
passing the Memphis and Ohio Railroad bridge, 
which had been burned to the water's edge a short 
time previous. We arrived at Savannah, Tennes- 
see, on the nth, and were greeted by large crowds 
of citizens, who seemed to hail us with delight — - 
especially the slaves. 

The only incident worthy of note transpired on 
the loth, as we were passing a high bank, where 
a number of women and children were cheering 
us, by waving their handkerchiefs. When just 
above them, among the cedars, there was heard 
the sharp crack of a musket and the whiz of the 
buck and ball. One buck-shot was extracted from 
the coat-collar of one of the Regiment, who was 
standing near the bow of the boat. The rebel 
made good his escape, through the timber. This 
being the first shot the regiment had received from 
the Rebels, it created considerable excitement. 

On the 13th, our Division was ordered up to 
Eastport, Miss., to cut the Memphis and Charles- 
ton R. R. and thus prevent Gen. A. S. Johnston 
from reinforcing the rebel forces, under command 
of Gen. Beauregard, who were encamped at. Cor- 
inth, Miss., which is the junction of the Mobile & 
Ohio and the Memphis & Charleston R. R. The 
plan was abandoned, on account of the heavy rains 
and high waters, and we returned to Pittsburg 
Landing on the 15th of March. Capt. Ireland, 
who had been sick for several days, died that night, 
and was buried with military honors the following 



1 6 HISTORY OF THE 

day, Sabbath. This was the first death in the Reg- 
iment, that had occurred in the South. 

During the day we visited the battle-ground of 
the gun-boat engagement, that took place on the 
first of the month, and saw the graves of the rebel 
dead. Their burial had been hurried, for they 
were but a few inches under ground, and many of 
their faces were exposed to view. 

Tuesday morning, March i8th, after a confine- 
ment of twelve days on board the boat, we disem- 
barked at Pittsburg Landing. The only build- 
ings there were a store-house, a grocery and a 
dwelling. From here roads led to the neighbor- 
ing villages of Corinth and Purdy. The rebels 
had erected a battery on the high bluffs above the 
landing some months previous, but it had been cap- 
tured by the gun-boats on the first of March. We 
camped a half mile from the river, where we re- 
mained three days. 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 1 7 



CHAPTER IV. 

BATTLE OF SHILOH. 

Camp at Shiloh Church — Reconnoisance — Lieut. Greer 
Captured — Orders for Strict Watch — Battle Immi- 
nent — The Attack of April 6th — Long-Roll — In Line 
of Battle — To the Support of the Pickets — Counter- 
March — Second Line of Battle — The Rebel Charge 
and Repulse — Arrival of Capt. Hammond — Orders 
to Retreat — New Position — Repulse of the Enemy — 
Camp of the 81st Ohio — Arrival at the Landing — 
Advance to Support a Battery — Arrival of Gen. Buell's 
Troops — The Rebel Charge — Their Repulse and Re- 
treat — Night — Rain. 

||f#HE day before we disembarked, Gen. Grant 
d^ relieved Gen. C. F. Smith, who had been 
placed in command of the expedition when we 
left Paducah. He was relieved on account of 
sickness, of which he died soon after. 

On the 21st we advanced about four miles to a 
new camp, situated in a light- timbered woods, 
about one hundred rods to the right of the Shiloh 
church, which stood on the brow of a hill, sloping 
southward. At its base, and nearly two hundred 
yards in our front, was Ov.'l Creek. To the left, 
and in front of the church, the third brigade of our 
Division was camped ; on our left the 70th Ohio, 
and to the right the 72d Ohio. 



t8 history of the 

The whole country, from the Landing to the 
fortifications around Corinth, was a dense forest, 
except where a few small plantations had been 
cleared. Our first duty, after pitching tents, was 
picket ; then followed brigade review by Gen. Sher- 
man ; also, company and battalion drill, and fa- 
tigue duty, until Thursday, April 3d, when our 
Brigade made a reconnoisance about five miles on 
the road to Corinth. We halted near a point where 
the road forked, and formed in line of battle. Two 
companies from the Regiment advanced as skir- 
mishers, and were soon engaged with the rebel 
cavalry ; but as the orders were '^not to be drawn in- 
to battle^'' the skirmishers fell back to the Brigade, 
and we returned to camp, arriviwg a little before 
dark. The next day, April 4th, at about 2 P. M., 
the left of our picket-line was attacked by the ene- 
my's cavalry, and eight of the 70th Ohio were cap- 
tured, together with Lieut. Greer, of the 48th, who 
was on Col. Buckland's staff. 

The long-roll beat, and we were hurried on 
double-quick to the picket-line. Arriving there, 
we formed in line of battle with the Brigade, and 
waited for the attack. But the rebels, after having 
made a dash on our pickets, retreated in haste, 
losing several killed and wounded, and a few pris- 
oners. 

Saturday, the 5th, all was quiet during the day, 
until about 5 o'clock P. M., when the long-roll 
beat again. We immediately formed on our color- 
line, and remained an hour, when the firing ceased, 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. I9 

and we were dismissed, with orders to fall in line 
at a moment's warning. 

These frequent attacks on the pickets, and the 
bold manner in which the rebel cavalry maneuv- 
ered in our front, convinced us that their army 
was in force in our immediate front. The pickets 
were strengthened, and the officers of the camp- 
guard received strict orders to notify Col. Sulli- 
van of any picket-firing during the night; and it 
is needless to add, that every one in the Regiment 
felt that we were on the eve of a battle. But dur- 
ing the night all was unusually still. No long-roll 
or bugle-sound disturbed the slumbering camp. 

At early dawn on the morning of the 6th, Com- 
pany C was notified at roll-call, to prepare for 
picket duty that day. While at breakfast, between 
6 and 7 o'clock, the occasional picket-firing on 
our left, which had been kept up since daylight, 
increased to volleys. The long-roll beat, and with 
our usual promptness the Regiment formed on the 
color-line. During this time the rattle of musket- 
ry and roar of artillery became almost deafening 
on our left. In about twenty minutes the pickets 
in our front commenced firing, which told us the 
enemy was advancing, when Col. Buckland or- 
dered our Regiment forward to their support. 
The head of the Regiment had scarcely reached 
Owl Creek, when we discovered the enemy, by 
their glistening bayonets, forming in line of battle 
on our side of the creek We countermarched 
and formed on the left of the 7 2d Ohio, who were 



20 HISTORY OF THE 

then about a hundred yards in front of their color- 
line, and in line of battle, facing the enemy. The 
left of our Regiment was scarcely in line, when 
the rebels, who were not more than a hundred 
yards distant, opened on our ranks, killing and 
wounding a number of the Regiment at their first 
fire. 

Almost simultaneous with their first volley, came 
the discharge of our front rank, which was quickly 
followed by that of the rear. By this time the 
battle became general all along the line. We 
made use of what little shelter the trees and logs 
afforded, and continued to pour volley after volley 
into the rebel ranks, when they, receiving re- en- 
forcements, attempted to charge on our lines, but 
were repulsed and driven back to the crest of the 
hill, where they took shelter again, returning our 
fire with that unabating fury that had been thin- 
ning our ranks since their first volley. 

The Regiment, with the Brigade, held its ground 
against great odds, repulsing every charge until 
near lo A. M., when the troops on our left were 
driven back, which exposed our left flank to an 
enfilading fire, that compelled us to fall back about 
a hundred yards to our color-line, where we fixed 
bayonets for a charge. While here, a battery of 
artillery came to our assistance, but soon left, 
without firing a gun. Just as the enemy began to 
press us on our left, Capt. Hammond, of Sher- 
man's staff, rode up, complimented our Colonel 
and Regiment for their bravery, saying that ours 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 21 

was the first Regiment that he had found that had 
withstood the terrific fire, without being driven 
from their color-line. He said, Gen. Sherman's 
order was to fall back to the Purdy road, and then 
keep in line of the 72d Ohio, if it became neces- 
sary to retreat farther. We about-faced and re- 
treated through our camp to the Purdy road. 

We had scarcely halted, when a battery came 
dashing along the road at full speed, to our right. 
They had passed us but a short distance when they 
were captured. After falling back about half a 
mile, under a heavy fire, we took a stong position 
at the foot of a hill, in front of which was an open 
field, and from which we repulsed the enemy, 
causing them to fall back in disorder. We were 
now cut off from the river by the road. Behind 
us were the marshy bottoms of Owl Creek; in 
our front was the victorious rebel army ; to our 
left, Pittsburg Landing. After a consultation, 
as we were detached from our Division, we took 
the nearest practicable route to the Landing, — 
During the retreat we were continually within mus- 
ket and artillery range of the enemy. When we 
reached the camp of the 8ist Ohio, the two wings 
of the Regiment that had been separated on the 
retreat, were reunited. 

From here we were ordered to guard a bridge 
over Owl Creek, but had proceeded but a short 
distance when the order was countermanded, and 
we resumed our march to the Landing, where we 
arrived about an hour later. In the little strip of 



2 2 HISTORY OF THE 

bottom below the Landing, we stacked our arms, 
and filled our canteens at the river, after which we 
fell in line and advanced to the front, and were 
greeted on all sides by deafening cheers by the 
troops, who thought we were the advance of Gen. 
Buell's army, whb were then expected every mo- 
ment. But when we told them we had been in 
the battle all day, their cheers died away, and they 
looked more gloomy than ever. Our army had 
been driven back all day, along our entire line, 
until about 4 o'clock P. M., when all our artillery 
was formed in a semi-circle of about a mile in 
length, with half that distance from the center to 
the Landing. 

We had marched to the front to support a bat- 
tery of siege guns, but no sooner had we occupied 
our position, than the enemy opened on us a fright- 
ful fire from their artillery. They then entered the 
ravine in our front, to make the final charge, and 
drive us into the Tennessee river. Then came the 
"rebel yell," that we had heard so often that day, 
and we knew that the charge would follow. After 
that there was a perfect calm. We could hear the 
heavy tramp of the rebel columns advancing on 
double-quick. The next moment our cannoneers 
sprang to their posts and discharged their double- 
shotted guns, loaded with grape and canister, at 
the rebel ranks, not more than fifty yards distant, 
while the infantry poured forth an incessant fire of 
musketry. The ground seemed to tremble, and 
the woods before us were swept by a storm of shell 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. 1. 23 

and canister. Men and horses succumbed to the 
withering fire, and when the smoke cleared away 
the rebels were seen in full retreat, flying in every 
direction. 

During this charge the troops under Gen. Buell 
began to arrive. They dropped their knapsacks 
and gave the enemy a parting volley. But the day 
of carnage had now closed, and darkness and rain 
came down on the dead and dying, who lay on the 
battle-field of Shiloh. Thus ended one of the 
bloodiest days of the war. 

After receiving a few crackers, the Regiment 
was ordered forward. Groping our way through 
the darkness for about a mile, we lay down in line 
of battle, ready to renew the conflict on the com- 
ing morrow. But little sleep did we get, between 
the rain and the continued cannonading of the 
gun-boats, mingled with the groans of the wounded 
and dying. 

The rebels occupied our camps that night, for 
Gen. Beauregard, in his official report of the bat- 
tle, says : 

" I accordingly established my headquarters at 
the Church at Shiloh, in the enemy's encampment, 
with Gen. Bragg, and directed our troops to sleep 
on their arms, in such positions, in advance and 
rear, as corps commanders should determine, hop- 
ing from news received by special dispatch, that 
delays had been encountered by Gen. Buell in his 
march from Columbia, and that his main forces 
therefore could not reach the field of battle in time 



24 HISTORY OF THE 

to save Gen. Grant's shattered fugitive forces from 
capture or destruction the following day. About 
six o'clock on the morning of the 7th of April, 
however, a hot fire of musketry and artillery 
opened from the enemy's quarter on our advance 
line, assured me of the junction of his forces, and 
soon the battle raged with such fury as satisfied 
me I was attacked by a largely superior force." 



FORTY EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 25 



CHAPTER V. 



THE BATTLE CONTINUED. 



Battle of the Seventh — The Final Rout — Reocciipying 
Our Camps — The Battle-field — Burial of the Dead — 
Following the Enemy on the Eighth — The Attack on 
the 77th Ohio — The 48th Ohio to Their Support — Re- 
turn to Camp — Our Dead and Wounded — Extracts 
from the Cincinnati Dailies — The Battle No Surprise 
— Loss in Both Armies — Extracts from Gen. Sher- 
man's Official Report — Arrival of the Sanitary Com- 
mission — Gen. Halleck Takes Command — Band Dis- 
charged — Drill. 

I^^URING the night the army was reinforced by 
llSf the arrival of the remainder of the troops un- 
der Generals Buell and Wallace. 

At early dawn on the following morning, we 
advanced with our Division, and met the enemy 
at 9 A M. Their artillery was posted on a 
ridge, commanding an open field, which their bat- 
teries could rake from end to end. We charged 
over on double-quick, under a heavy artillery fire, 
and took possession of a piece of timber on the 
opposite side. Our batteries were soon brought to 
the front, when a regular artillery duel followed, 
which lasted about two hours, and at times became 
almost deafening, sending the shell and solid shot 
crashing through the timber, and tearing up the 



26 HISTORY OF THE 

ground around us. Our troops being placed in 
supporting distance, were in better positions to as- 
sist each other than on the previous day, and at 
each attack of the rebels they were met by an 
equal force, and thus gradually they were com- 
pelled to yield the ground they had driven us 
from the day before. It was near i o'clock P. M. 
when they began cautiously to retreat, making a 
stand at every advantageous point, and delivering 
their fire with considerable effect, but being hotly 
pressed by our army, they finally gave way at 
about 4 P. M., and the rout became general. Our 
cavalry started in pursuit, following the retreating 
enemy several miles toward Corinth. 

The enemy was already in retreat, and victory 
nearly won, when Col. Sullivan had his left arm 
shattered by a musket-ball, and Capt. Warner, of 
Company B, a brave and daring officer, was killed. 

We then proceeded to take possession of our old 
camp, which we found in utter confusion, owing to 
the two days' battle over the same ground, and 
the occupation of our tents Sunday night by the 
enemy. In our absence our private property, in- 
cluding clothing, had been carried away. Our 
camp and the battle-field was a heart-sickening 
sight. The bodies of dead horses and wrecks of 
wagons, caissons, guns, and all kinds of war imple- 
ments, were strewn over the battle-field. The 
dead were lying in every conceivable shape.— 
Some had fallen with their guns fast in their hands ; 
others had received the messenger of death, and 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 27 

with their life-blood ebbing away, had sought the 
shelter of logs and trees, and laid down to die. 

At one place, five rebels had found shelter be- 
hind a small tree, one behind the other in a row, 
when a cannon-ball struck a root in front of them, 
and glancing upward, passed diagonally through 
each one' — the first at the hips, and the last at the 
head, severing it from the body ! But why dwell 
longer on the horrid sights that met the gaze all 
around? 

That night, hungry and weary, we slept once 
more in our old camp. Early next morning, the 
8th, we buried the dead in front of the position we 
held on Sunday morning. Twenty graves were 
dug, where we buried the dead of our Regiment, 
and seventy dead rebels were buried in one long 
trench. 

At 8 o'clock A. M. the Regiment was ordered 
forward with the Division, to follow up the retreat- 
ing enemy, in the direction of Corinth. After 
marching about a mile, we came to the camp that 
the rebels occupied on Saturday night. All along 
our line of march, could be seen remains of the re- 
treating rebels, fresh-made graves, and the wound- 
ed and unburied dead. We had marched about 
five miles, when the 77th Ohio, who were in ad- 
vance, were suddenly attacked in an open cotton- 
field, by the rebel cavalry, and overpowered by 
superior numbers. We were ordered on double- 
quick to their support. When we emerged from 
the woods the rebels retreated in haste, leaving 



28 HISTORY OF THE 

the field to our possession. The 77th lost, in killed, 
wounded and prisoners, one-third their number, 
and, but for our prompt arrival, the whole Regi- 
ment would have been annihilated. Among the 
captured was Capt. McCormick, who was afterward 
a prisoner at Camp Ford, Texas. We halted on 
the opposite side of the field, and remained in line 
of battle until near dark. This engagement went 
by the name of "Fallen Timber," from the many 
trees that lay over the field. We returned to our 
camp that evening, reaching it about 11 o'clock. 

The entire route was through mud and mire, 
and covered with guns, ammunition, disabled artil- 
lery, baggage wagons, &c. &c. We recaptured a 
number of the sick and wounded of the Regiment, 
who had been captured on the 6th. This ended 
the fighting at Shiloh. 

Jesse Nelson, our drummer-boy, who was but a 
stripling youth, when the battle began threw down 
his drum and stepped into the ranks, with a rifle. 
He was shot through the head by a musket-ball, 
early in the engagement, while on his knees, in the 
act of firing. 

The first verse of the poem, published shortly 
after the battle, entitled "The Drummer-Boy of 
Shiloh," is very appropriate : 

" On Shiloh's dark and bloody ground 
The dead and wounded lay ; 
Amon^ them was a drummer-boy, 
Who beat the drum that day. " 

The Regiment lost twenty killed, ninety wound- 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 29 

ed, and two taken prisoners. The following is a 
list of the casualties among the officers : 

Killed: Capt. Warner, of Co. B. Mortally- 
wounded: Capt. Bond, Co. I. Wounded: Col. 
Sullivan, Lieut. Posegate, Co. A, Lieuts. Lindsey 
and Plyley, Co. B ; and Surgeon Carey, taken pris- 
oner, while taking care of the wounded. 

The following extracts are taken from the Cin- 
cinnati Times and Gazette, giving an account of 
the part taken by the 48th Ohio in the Battle of 
Shiloh : 

Cincinnaii Daily Times ^ April 10, 1862. 

(( Pittsburg Landing, April 7, 1862. 
* * * * " In regard to those troops raised 
in our vicinity, I must say that all acquitted them- 
selves most valiantly. The 48th, under Col. Sul- 
livan, was among the very first whose camp was 
invaded, and even after the Regiments on either 
side had fallen back, they retired in good order, 
fighting every step of the way, to the line of the 
Second Division. It should be remembered that 
this is the first time they were ever brought into 
battle, and from the suddenness of the attack your 
readers may judge that the introduction was not 
one calculated to steady the nerves of raw troops. 
At one time during the contest, it was rumored 
that every officer of the 48th was killed ; but they 
turned up in time to gather their men to the num- 
ber of 250, and after a bivouac upon the wet ground 
last night, they led them again to the field to-day. 



30 HISTORY OF THE 

Col. Sullivan returns to-night with a wound in his 
left arm, but not at all dangerous, although quite 
painful. He will be all right again in a few days. 
Gen. Sherman yesterday complimented the Colo- 
nel, also Lieut Col. Parker, of Highland county, 
Maj. Wise, Adjutant Robt. McGill, and the men, 
as a body, by saying that even older Regiments 
could not have conducted themselves more nobly. 
* * * E. M. S." 

Highland News, April 24, 1862, copied frofji 
the Cincinnati Gazette. 

"It was on Monday, during that terrible contest, 
that Col. Sullivan, while bravely rallying his Regi- 
ment, was wounded and borne from the field, and 
the brave and much-lamented Capt. Warner, of Co. 
B, fell with a Minie ball through the head. A bet- 
ter officer and more noble-hearted man, we had 
not in the Regiment. Lieut. Col. Parker won the 
entire esteem and confidence of the Regiment, as 
a man of cool and daring bravery. At all times 
during the conflict he was ever ready to cheer and 
rally by his presence, and his sword ever found in 
the thickest of the fight. In a word, the entire 
Regiment deserves the highest meed of praise. — 
To this Gen. Sherman has already subscribed by 
saying, the 48th and 72d Ohio maintained their 
ground longer than any other Regiment in his di- 
vision. 

" The Band boys, like true patriots, threw down 
their instruments, took up guns and went into the 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 3 1 

fight. Two of their number, Wm. Purdy and E. 
Henry, were mortally wounded, and died from the 
effects of their wounds a short time after." 

THE BATTLE NO SURPRISE. 

We had penetrated about 225 miles up the 
Tennessee river, in the enemy's country. Cor- 
inth, our objective point, was but thirty miles 
distant, strongly fortified and garrisoned, by an 
army estimated between fifty and sixty thou- 
sand men, under Gen. Beauregard. We have 
already shown that on April 3d our brigade 
was sent out to reconnoiter. We found the ene- 
my in strong force, within about five miles of our 
camp, but we were instructed not to bring on an 
engagement. April 4th, our picket-line was at- 
tacked by the rebel cavalry, which resulted in a 
loss of a few killed, wounded and prisoners, on 
each side. Saturday, the 5th, on account of the 
heavy picket-firing another alarm was sounded, at 
about 5 P. M., which was caused by the near ap- 
proach of the rebel cavlary. 

That night. Col. Sullivan instructed the Sergeant 
of the camp-guard to notify him, at once, if an 
alarm was given during the night. The following 
morning, Sunday, April 6th, the reveille was sound- 
ed as usual at daylight, and roll-call followed. — 
While at breakfast the long-roll beat, and we im- 
mediately formed on our color line. While in line, 
those who had not finished their breakfast, return- 
ed to their tents and finished their meals. We had 



32 HISTORY OF THE 

been in line half an hour, when we were ordered 
to the front, to support the pickets, and had pro- 
ceeded but a short distance, when we saw the ene- 
my advancing in force. We returned to our brig- 
ade, reformed our line, and the battle commenced. 

Our forces, the first day, numbered 32,000, and 
and the enemy 45,000 men. Both sides received 
reinforcements for the second day's battle. The 
rebels were armed, principally, with U. S. muskets, 
and their ammunition consisted of one ball and 
three buck-shot. 

Previous to the battle. Gen. Beauregard had is- 
sued an order to his troops, a copy of which was 
found in one of our tents, the first section of which 
reads as follows : 

" Field and company officers are specially en- 
joined to instruct their men to fire at the feet of the 
enemy! They will thus avoid over-shooting, and 
besides, wounded men give more trouble to our ad- 
versary than his dead, as they have to be taken 
from the field." 

The loss in our Division was 318 killed, 1275 
wounded and 440 missing. Our entire loss in 
killed and wounded, according to official reports, 
was 10,600 ; and Beauregard places his at 10,699; 
besides the prisoners taken on both sides, our 
loss in prisoners being the greatest. The total 
loss of both armies is estimated at 25,000 men, 
which was a frightful loss in proportion to the 
number engaged. This battle exploded the South- 
ern assertion that one Southerner was a match 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 33 

for five Northern soldiers, and also taught the 
Western army, that all the advantages gained 
over their adversary would have to be won by des- 
perate, hard fighting. 

The following is an extract from the official re- 
port of Gen. Sherman, of the Battle of Shiloh : 
[From Gen. Sherman's Memoirs.] 

"Headquarters Fifth Division, } 
Camp Shiloh, April loth, 1862. J 
" Cap/. J. A . Rawlins, AssU. Adft. Gen. to Gen. Grant: 

" Sir — * * * Qn Sunday morning early, 
the 6th inst., the enemy drove our advance-guard 
back on the main body, when I ordered under 
arms all my Division. 

" Shortly after 7 A. M., with my entire staff, I 
rode along a portion of our front, and when in the 
open field, before Appier's regiment, the enemy's 
pickets opened a brisk fire upon my party, killing 
my orderly. * * * 

"About 8 A. M. I saw the glistening bayonets of 
heavy masses of infantry to our left front, in the 
woods beyond the small stream alluded to, and be- 
came satisfied for the first time that the enemy de- 
signed a determined attack on our whole camp. — 
All of the regiments of my Division were then in 
line of battle at their proper posts. * * * 

" The battle opened by the enemy's battery, in 
the woods to our front, throwing shells into 
our camp. Taylor's and Waterhouse's batteries 
promptly responded, and I then observed heavy 
battalions of infantry passing obliquely to the left, 



34 HISTORY OF THE 

across the open field in Appier's front ; also other 
columns directly upon my Division. Our infantry 
and artillery opened along the whole line, and the 
battle became general. * * * 

"Although our left was thus turned, and the ene- 
my was pressing our whole line, I deemed Shiloh 
so important that I remained by it, and renewed 
my orders to Colonels McDowell and Buckland to 
hold their ground, and we did hold these positions 
until about lo A. M., when the enemy had got his 
artillery to the rear of our left flank and some 
change became necessary. Two regiments of Hil- 
debrand's brigade — Appier's and Mungen's — had 
already disappeared to the rear, and Hildebrand's 
own regiment was in disorder. I therefore gave 
orders for Taylor's battery, still at Shiloh, to fall 
back as far as the Purdy and Hamburg road, and 
for McDowell and Buckland to adopt that road as 
their new line. I rode across the angle and met 
Behr's battery at the cross-road, and ordered it 
immediately to come into battery action right. — 
Capt. Behr gave the order, but was almost imme- 
diately shot from his horse, when drivers and gun- 
ners fled in disorder, carrying off the caissons, and 
abandoning five out of six guns, without firing a 
shot. The enemy pressed on, gaining this battery, 
and we were again forced to choose a new line of 
defense. Hildebrand's brigade had substantially 
disappeared from the field, though he himself 
bravely remained. McDowell's and Buckland's 
brigade maintained their organization, and were 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 35 

conducted by my aids, so as to join on Gen. Mc- 
Clernand's right, thus abandoning ray original 
camps and line. This was about ioj4 A. M., at 
which time the enemy had made a furious attack 
on Gen. McClernand's whole front. He struggled 
most determinedly, but finding him pressed, I 
moved McDowell's brigade against the left flank 
of the enemy, forced him back some distance, and 
then directed the men to avail themselves of every 
cover, trees, fallen timber, and a wooded valley to 
our right. We held this position for four long 
hours, sometimes gaining and at other times losing 
ground. Gen. McClernand and myself acting in 
perfect concert, and struggling to maintain this line. 
"While we were so hard pressed, two Iowa reg- 
iments approached our rear, but could not be 
brought up to the severe fire that was raging in 
our front, and Gen. Grant, who visited us on that 
ground, will remember our situation about 3 P. M.; 
but about 4 P. M. it was evident that Hurlburt's 
line had been driven back to the river, and know- 
ing that Gen. Lew Wallace was coming with rein- 
forcements from Crump's Landing, Gen. McCler- 
nand and I, on consultation, selected a new line of 
defense, with its right covering a bridge by which 
Gen. Wallace had to approach. We fell back as 
well as we could, gathering in addition to our own 
such scattered forces as we could find, and formed 
a new line. * * * j ^^d a clear field, about 
two hundred yards wide, in my immediate front, 
and contented myself with keeping the enemy's in- 



36 HISTORY OF THE 

fantry at that distance during the rest of the day. 

" In this position we rested for the night. My 
command had become decidedly of a mixed char- 
acter. Buckland's brigade was the only one that 
retained its organization. Col. Hildebrand was 
personally there, but his brigade was not. Col. 
McDowell had been severely injured by a fall 
from his horse, and had gone to the river, and the 
three regiments of his brigade were not in line. 
* * * Generals Grant and Buell visited me in 
our bivouac that evening, and from them I learned 
the situation of officers on other parts of the field. 
Gen. Wallace arrived from Crump's Landing short- 
ly after dark, and formed his line to my right rear. 
It rained hard during the night, but our men were 
in good spirits, lay on their arms, being satisfied 
with such bread and meat as could be gathered 
at the neighboring camps, and determined to re- 
deem on Monday the losses on Sunday! * * * 

"At daylight on Monday I received General 
Grant's order to advance and recapture our origi- 
nal camps. I dispatched several members of my 
staff to bring up all the men they could find, and 
reoccupied the ground to the extreme right of 
Gen. McClernand's, where we attracted the fire of 
a battery located near Col. McDowell's former 
headquarters. Here I remained, patiently waiting 
for the sound of Gen. Buell's advance upon the 
main Corinth road. About 10 A. M, the heavy 
firing in that direction and its steady approach 
satisfied me, and Gen. Wallace being on our right 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 37 

flank, with his well-conducted Division, I led the 
head of my column to Gen. McClernand's right, 
formed line of battle, facing south, with Buckland's 
brigade directly across the ridge, and Stuart's brig- 
ade on its right in the woods, and thus advanced, 
steadily and slowly, under a heavy fire of musket- 
ry and artillery. Taylor had just got to me from 
the rear, where he had gone for ammunition, and 
brought up three guns, which I ordered into po- 
sition, to advance by hand-firing. Under cover 
of their fire, we advanced till we reached the point 
where the Corinth road crosses the line of Mc- 
Clernand's camp, and here I saw for the first time 
the well-ordered and compact columns of Gen. 
Buell's Kentucky forces, whose soldierly move- 
ments at once gave confidence to our newer and 
less disciplined men. 

"This was about 2 P. M. The enemy had one 
battery close by Shiloh, and another near the 
Hamburg road, both pouring grape and canister 
upon any column of troops that advanced upon 
the green point of water-oaks. Willich's regiment 
had been repulsed, but a whole brigade of Mc- 
Cook's Division advanced, beautifully deployed, 
and entered this dreaded wood. I ordered my 
second brigade to form on its right, and my fourth 
brigade, Col. Buckland,* on its right, all to ad- 
vance abreast with this Kentucky brigade, before 
mentioned, which I afterward found to be Rous- 
seau's brigade of McCook's Division. I gave per- 

*To which the 48th Ohio was attached. 



38 HISTORY OF THE 

sonal direction to the twenty-four pounder guns, 
whose well-directed fire first silenced the enemy's 
guns to the left, and afterward at the Shiloh meet- 
ing-house. Rousseau's brigade moved in splendid 
order steadily to the front, sweeping everything 
before it, and at 4 P. M. we stood upon the 
ground of our original front line, and the enemy 
was in full retreat. I directed my several brigades 
to resume at once their original camps. * * * 

"My Division was made up of regiments per- 
fectly new, nearly all having received their mus- 
kets for the first time at Paducah. None of them 
had ever been under fire, or beheld heavy columns 
of an enemy bearing down on them, as they did 
on last Sunday. 

* * * " Col. Buckland managed his brigade 
well. I commend him to your notice as a cool, 
intelligent and judicious gentleman, needing only 
confidence and experience to make a good com- 
mander. His subordinates, Colonels Sullivan 
(48th Ohio) and Cockerill, (70th Ohio), behaved 
with great gallantry ; the former receiving a wound 
on Sunday, and yet commanding and holding his 
regiment well in hand all day on Monday, until 
his right arm was broken by a shot. Col. Cockier- 
ill held a larger proportion of his men than any 
Colonel in my division, and was with me from first 
to last. * * * 

"I am, with much respect, your obedient ser- 
vant, W. T. SHERMAN, 

" Brig. Gen. Com'dg Fifth Division." 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 39 

A week after the battle the Sanitary Commission 
began to arrive, with supplies for the sick and 
wounded. With them came Dr. S. J. Spees, of 
Lynchburg, Ohio. Our Surgeon, Dr. Gary, had 
been taken prisoner, leaving all the care of the 
sick and wounded on Assistant Surgeon, A. A. 
Johnson. The sick list increased very rapidly, 
caused by the fatigue and exposure of the three 
days' battle, together with the heavy rains and 
damp weather. Over one-half of the Regiment 
was unable for duty. 

In the mean time. Gen. Halleck had arrived at 
Pittsburg Landing, and assumed command of the 
combined armies of Grant and Buell, leaving Gen. 
Grant second in command. He issued a general 
order for every regiment to attend battalion drill 
in the morning, and brigade and division drill in 
the afternoon. From these drills none were ex- 
cused, unless unable to sit up. Those unable to 
march were hauled out to the drill-ground in ambu- 
lances, where they could watch the maneuvers. 

On the 15 th of April, a general order was issued 
to discharge all regimental bands, excepting one to 
each brigade. When the battle of Shiloh com- 
menced, our band discarded their fine instruments, 
armed themselves, and went into the fight with the 
Regiment. The result was, they lost their instru- 
ments, and had two of their number killed. Hav- 
ing no instruments, they were one of the first 
bands discharged, much to the regret of the whole 
Regiment. 



40 HISTORY OF THE 

April i6th, all the sick and wounded of the Reg- 
iment were sent North. The army was now thor- 
oughly drilled in division, brigade and battalion 
drill, as well as picket-duty and the art of con- 
structing field defenses, which was a great advan- 
tage to us in the advance on Corinih, as Gen. Hal- 
leck had decided to approach by regular siege, 
that was necessarily slow and attended with a 
great deal of labor. The 48th Ohio bore its full 
share of duty in picketing, constructing earth- 
works, and reconnoitering. 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. . 4I 



CHAPTER VI. 

On the Road to Corinth — Order to March — Joke on 
Sergeant Reed — First Earthworks — Second Advance 
— Camp Number Six — Engagement at the Russell 
House — Talk with the Rebel Pickets— Separation of 
Mother and Child — Last Line of Earthworks — Evac- 
uation of Corinth — The Pursuit and Return — Com- 
parison of the Two Armies. 

^^PRIL 29th, we received marching orders, and 
MIS moved with the Division towards Corinth, 
Miss., leaving a very large number of the Regi- 
ment sick in the tents, who were sent home a few 
days later by the Sanitary Commission. 

We marched about six miles and camped. — 
May ist, the following order was issued to the 
Army : " The troops will at once be prepared for 
a rapid march, and each soldier will carry three 
days' rations in his haversack, and the wagons 
four days' rations additional. The baggage will 
be limited to two tents for each company for all 
purposes, the allowance of axes and spades, and 
such cooking utensils as are absolutely necessary. 
The soldiers will carry their blankets only, leaving 
their knapsacks in camp. One hundred and forty 
rounds of ammunition will be taken along — forty 
rounds in the cartridge boxes, and one hundred 
rounds in the wagons ; and on the eve of a battle 



42 ' HISTORY OF THE 

forty additional rounds will be issued each man, to 
be carried on his person." 

During our stay here an amusing incident oc- 
curred. Serg't. Reed, of Co. B, received informa- 
tion from some wag in the Regiment that he had 
been promoted to Second Lieutenant. He imme- 
diately procured his shoulder-straps, and proposed 
to treat the Company in honor of the event, but on 
going to the sutler, he found that he had sold every- 
thing except some stale butter. In the absence 
of something better, he purchased fifteen or twenty 
pounds and distributed it to his Company. After 
he had aired his straps, to the delight of the Reg- 
iment, for several days, the joke leaked out, and 
none laughed more than he when he discovered 
the sell. 

May 3d, we received two months' pay, being the 
second payment in the service. On the 4th, we 
received four days' rations. The crackers proved 
to be mouldy and worm-eaten. On the 5th we 
were ordered to advance, which we did with great 
caution, and camped toward evening. In the 
mean time a heavy rain set in and continued, 
without intermission, for fifteen hours. After we 
we had selected our camp and made shelters to 
protect us from the rain, orders were received to 
send a strong force of the Regiment on picket, 
which was not agreeable news in the face of a 
driving rain. Through some misunderstanding 
we were taken to the wrong picket-line, and were 
afterward transferred to the reserve, in an open 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. 1. 43 

field, near a fence, which we used in making shel- 
ter. On returning to camp the following day, 
we learned that the high waters had swept away 
the bridges between us and the Landing; also, 
that the four days' damaged rations, issued on the 
4th, would have to last us eight days. We cut 
the timber in our front, and constructed earth- 
works, but had scarcely completed them when we 
advanced one mile on the following day, and 
built a new line of defenses. Our arms were al- 
ways stacked convenient while we were at work. 
Every morning at four o'clock we were in our 
fortifications, prepared for an attack, and re- 
mained there for two hours. 

Capt. Frazee, having recovered from his sick- 
ness, returned for duty and took command of the 
Regiment. May 12th we occupied Camp Number 
Five, seven miles from Corinth. We spent every 
night in our rifle-pits, prepared for a night attack. 
The alarms and long-rolls were frequent, but did 
not lead to any general engagement. May 13th 
we advanced two miles and established a new line 
of defenses at Camp Number Six. May 17th we 
received orders to be ready for a reconnoisance 
in force with the 72d and 54th Ohio and 8th 
Missouri. We had proceeded but a short dis- 
tance when the 54th Ohio, on our left, became 
hotly engaged. 

The rebels were found in strong force at the 
Russell House. With the aid of artillery they 
were dislodged, and we drove them several miles. 



44 HISTORY OF THE 

At dark we fell back a short distance, and biv- 
ouacked for the night. We had taken no rations, 
but they were sent to us the next morning ; and 
at noon we were back in camp again. 

Our works here were very formidable. There 
were several batteries of heavy and light artillery 
in position. The 53d Ohio was added to our 
brigade, which was now commanded by Gen. J. W. 
Denver, and occupied the right of Gen. Sherman's 
Division. 

May 20th, we made another advance, and es- 
tablished a new line a considerable distance to the 
right, designated as Camp Number Seven, where, 
with our usual promptness, we were soon in posi- 
tion behind our new works. 

May 26th, while on picket near the Mobile & 
Ohio Railroad, we discovered the rebel pickets on 
the opposite side. Quite a number of us advanced 
to wi'.hin speaking distance, keeping well protect- 
ed behind the trees ; we then opened fire on them, 
which they returned, with the remark that we were 
firing too high. It was kept up until toward eve- 
ning, when we proposed to them to quit firing dur- 
ing the night, to which they consented. We kept 
a sharp look-out, but everything was quiet until 
daylight, when we heard a pack of hounds on the 
trail of a deer. It was coming at full speed toward 
our lines. As soon as it came in sight, D. Edginton 
fired, killing it instantly. That day we had veni- 
son for dinner. Soon after, a rebel picket inquired 
whether we had a daily paper. One of our men 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 45 

had a Cincinnati Commercial of May 20, '62. It 
was proposed that they could have the paper by 
coming after it. They met us on the railroad, 
leaving all arms and ammunition behind. Quite 
an interesting conversation passed between us ; 
among other things, we agreed to have no more 
picket -firing in future — which agreement was 
sacredly kept on our end of the line. They stated 
that they had plenty to eat, and received whisky 
and coffee twice a week ; that they were fighting 
for their rights and liberties ; that the Union was 
" played out," and that Gen. Beauregard was in 
command, and Gen. Bragg second in command, 
at Corinth, which was four and one-half miles 
from our camp ; that they were ready for us, and 
although the prospects looked gloomy, they were 
the boys to fight it out. They also asked the very 
impertinent question, whether we did not think 
that they were right and we wrong in regard to the 
war ? The discussion was getting quite warm, 
when by mutual consent we changed the subject. 
After a half-hour's conversation we separated and 
returned to our picket lines. They were in plain 
view frequently during the day, but we did not 
molest them. 

After the evacuation of Corinth, a citizen related 
to us that he was in Corinth and heard the rebel 
pickets telling of their adventure on the picket- 
line, the day after it took place. He said it was 
spoken of a great deal in the army, and the pick- 
ets were looked upon as the heroes of the day. In 



46 HISTORY OF THE 

the evening we were relieved and returned to 
camp. 

As we neared Corinth, the supply of water for 
the army became a problem. The water for man 
and beast was taken from the same stagnant pools 
in the almost dried-up small streams. The enemy, 
knowing our condition, fought desperately wher- 
ever a pond of any size was found. 

During one of our advance movements, an in- 
teresting incident occurred. Lieut. Posegate, in 
command of Co. A, was sent forward as skirmish- 
ers. They had driven the rebels before them, and 
occupied a position between two farm-houses. A 
woman left her child in the house alone, while she 
went on an errand to a neighbor's house, situated 
between her home and our lines. During her brief 
absence our army had advanced, leaving her in 
our lines, and her dwelling and child half-way be- 
tween the two contending armies, with every indi- 
cation of a battle at hand. The woman was al- 
most frantic for the safety of her child. She had 
been led to believe that the Yankees murdered all 
that came in their way. But through the kindness 
of Lieut. Posegate she reached her home in safety, 
and after thanking him for his services, she stated 
that no earthly consideration, except the thoughts 
of her child, would have induced her to pass be- 
tween two armies facing each other, prepared for 
battle ; and if her husband, who was in the South- 
ern Army at Corinth, knew how kindly she had been 
treated bv the Union soldiers, he wouldn't remain 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 47 

in arms against us another day ! No doubt the 
woman and child were removed to a place of safe- 
ty, as they were never seen again. 

On the 29th we moved forward with the army, 
driving the rebel out-posts before us for about a 
mile, and establishing a new line in a strip of tim- 
ber on a slight elevation, from which their batter- 
ies attempted to dislodge us, but did not succeed. 
After the troops were all in position, our Regiment 
was ordered to support the 4th Indiana Battery, 
which kept up a heavy cannonading until dark, 
when their firing ceased and work on the earth- 
works commenced. The night being very dark, 
and no lights allowed, the line for the rifle pits was 
made by laying down rails six feet apart, and 
throwing out the ground between them. Our task 
was completed at midnight, when we lay upon our 
arms as usual, " to sleep, perchance to dream." A 
light breeze was blowing from the south, and dur- 
ing the night we could plainly hear the movement 
of trains on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, bands 
playing, and see the rockets ascending in the air, 
signaling their out-posts, which clearly indicated 
that they were evacuating. 

While at breakfast the following morning, May 
30th, we heard heavy explosions in the direction 
of Corinth. The rebels were evidently destroying 
what could not be carried away. Soon the word 
came, " Corinth is evacuated." 

The 48th and 72d Ohio received orders to ad- 
vance immediately. After passing the pickets, 



48 HISTORY OF THE 

Companies A and B were sent forward as skir- 
mishers, leaving Co. C at the right of the Regi- 
ment. After passing through a narrow strip of 
timber, we reached an open country, in which the 
fortifications of Corinth were located. When with- 
in fifty yards of their works we halted and gave 
three rousing cheers for the "old flag;" after 
which we advanced over the works on double- 
quick through dust and heat for about two miles, 
when we halted in sight of Corinth. As soon as 
the rest of our brigade arrived, we advanced 
again, the 48th and 72d taking the lead. We 
passed through Corinth, which we found smolder- 
ing in ruins, and halted a short distance beyond 
the town, near the forks of a road, where the reb- 
els had gone to the trouble to put up a large finger- 
board, with the inscription, "Take the road 
to the left." The enemy being out of our 
reach, and further pursuit by the infantry useless, 
we returned to our camp in the evening. The 
result of the capture of Corinth was the fall of 
Memphis and Fort Pillow. By getting in their rear 
it made both places untenable, and they fell an 
easy prey to the gunboat squadron. 

The following description of the evacuation of 
Corinth is from a Southern history, "The War in 
the West :" 

"Halleck dug and dug, and pulled his immense 
army forward slowly and painfully as a wounded 
snake. Steel met steel — gun answered gun in 
the pines around Hamburg, and the glitter of 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 49 

bright bayonets, away over to the left, told a busy 
story of Bragg's adventure and unceasing activity. 
But an enemy invaded the heart of Beauregard's 
camp, more terrible, more deadly, than Halleck's 
vast host, if it had been doubled. It was the sol- 
dier's enemy — disease. The sultry sun, the putrid 
water, the unwholesome food, the low, swampy 
country, the unceasing duty, the long, eternal bat- 
tle, sapped the elan of the young volunteers, and 
filled the hospitals and the graveyards with the 
best blood of the South. 

"Train after train carried the miserable suffer- 
ers southward, but train after train was still in de- 
mand, and the epidemic increased and the mortal- 
ity was fearful. One hot, weary afternoon. Cap- 
tain received orders to call in all his out- 
lying detachments^ prepare three days rations, and 
march directly on Corinth. A battle was deemed 
inevitable, for latterly the skirmishes had been un- 
usually severe, and ever and anon the hoarse voice 
of the heavy Parrots could be heard, loud above 
the noisy and more rapid discharges of the field 
artillery. Corinth was reached at nightfall, and 
the command slept on their arms just northward 
of the town, the sentinels halting in their mechan- 
ical beats long enough to catch the echoes of Hal- 
leck's distant signal-guns, and to watch the out- 
post cavalry rockets going up among the clouds. 

"Before daylight the next morning, avast, com- 
pact column, sixteen deep, came from Bragg's 
line on the left, and marched away in silence to- 



50 HISTORY OF THE 

ward Tupelo, followed by artillery, wagons, cav- 
alry, and a sickly train of pale faces and emaciated 
bodies. It was Beauregard, evacuating Corinth 
before the pestilence, but not from fear of Halleck. 
The living tide surged past, all the long, hot day, 
and every step was proud, and every gun glistened 
brightly in the sun-light. A death-like silence 
pervaded the deserted streets ; the usual cannon- 
ading on the left had ceased. Van Dorn's stub- 
born pickets no longer plied their vengeful rifles, 
and the patrolling cavalry hushed the clank of sa- 
bers and the shrill neighing of their lonesome 
steeds. The last regiment who left the grave-girdled 
town, marched in skirmish order, with their load- 
ed guns and bayonets fixed." 

This shows that Gen. Beauregard's army was in 
a fearful condition, and all the hardships and pri- 
vations of the siege that they endured would apply 
to our own army in a still greater degree, for we 
were on the offensive and not acclimated, while 
they were on the defensive, fighting within sight 
of their own homes. But the condition of our 
army was never better during the siege. 

Of the splendid condition of our army when we 
entered Corinth, Ger! Sherman says : — "I esteem 
it (the siege of Corinth) a magnificent drill, as it 
served for the instruction of our men in guard and 
picket duty, and in habituating them to out-door 
life, and by the time we had reached Corinth, I 
believe that army was the best then on this conti- 
nent, and could have gone where it pleased." 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 51 



CHAPTER VII. 

On to Memphis — Visit of Thomas Peale, Esq. of Lynch- 
burg — Return of Lieut. Col. Parker — La-Grange — 
Moscow — Lafayette — Newton and the Snake — Return 
to Moscow — March to Holly Springs and Return — 
Contrabands — On the March to Memphis — White 
Station — Memphis — Camp at Fort Pickering — Maj. 
Wise and Lieut. Fields Resign — Return of Absentees 

— On Provost Guard — Cincinnati Reported Captured 

— Trip to Randolph — Rebel Cotton Burners. 

^^^E remained in camp until June 2d, when we 
SS^K took up our line of march to Memphis, leav- 
ing behind Capt. Frazee, who was sent home on 
sick-leave, which left Capt. Peterson in command 
of the Regiment. We were delayed a short time 
by a heavy shower. Passing through Corinth, we 
bivouacked on the road-side for the night. 

Early the following morning, we were ordered 
to Chewalla on double-quick, a distance of eight 
or ten miles. Why we were ordered to that place 
on a run, with no enemy near, has never been sat- 
isfactorily explained. 

On June 9th, Thomas Peale, Esq., of Lynchburg, 
Ohio, made us a visit, aud remained with us on the 
march to Lafayette, Tenn. From here he went 
with the supply train to Memphis, and from there 
home. He had quite an experience of army life. 



52 HISTORY OF THE 

Jun^ 9th, we resumed our march to Memphis, 
and camped at Tuscumbia river in the evening, 
where Lieut. Col. Parker, who had been sent home 
on sick-leave shortly after the battle of Shiloh, re- 
joined and took command of the Regiment. The 
following day, we repaired the bridge, which had 
been destroyed by the enemy. We left June nth, 
marched through the richest portion of West Ten- 
nessee, and arrived at LaGrange June 14th. We 
left LaGrange on the i6th, and arrived at Moscow 
in the evening. Our chief employment, during 
our stay at Moscow, was to rebuild the railroad 
bridge over Wolf river. 

On the 2 2d, we were ordered to Lafayette, eight 
miles below, on the Memphis & Charleston R. R., 
where we arrived in the afternoon. The following 
day a portion of the Regiment went on picket. — 
During the night quite an amusing incident occur- 
red on one of the picket-posts. Thomas Newton 
was startled by a snake crawling up inside his 
pants. He raised the alarm and danced a lively 
jig, while his comrades assisted him to release the 
snake, but fortunately he sustained no other injury 
than a big scare, which he will never forget. 

After we returned to camp the following morn- 
ing, we learned that our brigade had been ordered 
back to Moscow. This proved to be the hottest 
and sultriest day of the season, and our march 
back to Moscow will be as long remembered by us 
as the one from Moscow, mentioned in history, will 
be remembered by the French. The blinding 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 53 

dust and intense heat were terribly severe on both 
man and beast. The roadside was lined with sol- 
diers overcome by heat, and quite a number of 
artillery horses dropped dead in their traces. 

Arriving at our destination, we camped on the 
banks of Wolf river. During our stay here we had 
a pleasant time, our duties being light and the 
bathing facilities excellent. On the 29th several 
took "French leave," taking the overland route for 
home, where they arrived safely, and in due sea- 
son were safely returned to the Regiment again. 

On the 30th of June, our Division was ordered 
on an expedition to Holly Springs, twenty-two 
miles south. We arrived in sight of Holly Springs 
at noon on the following day, while the cavalry 
was having a hot skirmish with the enemy. Our 
Regiment and the 4th Indiana Battery were or- 
dered forward in the engagement, but a few well- 
directed shots from the artillery started the rebels 
in full retreat. We remained in our position un- 
til dark, when we fell back about three miles, and 
camped in the woods on the road-side. Here we 
lay in ambush, awaiting the return of the enemy, 
until July 5th, but they did not appear. 

We started on the expedition with only one 
day's rations, and expected a supply from Mem- 
phis, by the supply-train, but the train had been 
attacked by the rebels and delayed. As foraging 
was almost unknown at this stage of the war, we 
were compelled to subsist entirely on blackberries 
and apples. We soon stripped the orchards in 



54 HISTORY OF THE 

the vicinity, of their green fruit, and lived a few- 
days on the refuse from a cavalry camp. 

On the 6th we started back to Moscow. We 
marched until midnight, when we met the supply- 
train. A halt was ordered, and through the energy 
of H. C. Stewart, Quartermaster Sergeant, the ra- 
tions were soon distributed to the hungry soldiers. 
At day-break on the following day, we were on the 
march, reaching Moscow at noon. 

Up to this time, the slaves were still at work for 
their masters, and none were allowed to follow 
the army. On the Holly Springs expedition the 
Regiment engaged several of them as cooks, but 
they had scarcely been initiated when an order 
was issued to exclude all slaves from camp. Thus 
ended our first attempt at putting them to work 
to assist in putting down the Rebellion. But 
"De Year ob Jubilo," as the slaves called it, 
was fast approaching. In less than two months, 
there was a complete change. The slaves came into 
camp in droves, and were put to work as cooks, 
teamsters and laborers. At one time nearly every 
soldier in the Regiment had his private servant ! 

On the i8th of July, we took up our line of 
march once more for Memphis, camping at Col- 
lierville the first night, and at White's Station the 
second, where we remained the succeeding day — 
the Sabbath — and being short of rations, we 
spent nearly the whole time in cooking green 
corn. A field of twenty acres did not quite supply 
the demand for our Division. 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 



55 



The following day, July 21st, we resumed our 
march. Our Regiment guarded the wagon-train. 
When within a few miles of the city, we were or- 
dered forward on double-quick, to rejoin our brig- 
ade, and make our entrance into the city with our 
Division. As it was an exceeding hot day, and the 
dust almost suffocating, it was with great difficulty 
that we succeeded in picking our way through the 
immense wagon-train that obstructed the entire 
road. On reaching our brigade, we entered the 
city of Memphis, with bands playing, colors flying, 
and the troops cheering. We marched to the 
south end of the city, and camped in a peach-or- 
chard, in Fort Pickering, on the banks of the Mis- 
sissippi river. It had been nearly six months 
since we had left Ohio, and in that time we had 
been constantly on the move, and had seen sol- 
diering in nearly all its phases, and now we had 
reached a haven that promised us rest for a short 
season at least. 

Memphis is a handsome city, built on a high 
bluff, 420 miles below St. Louis. It had a popula- 
tion of 20,000 before the war, and was the center 
of a vast trade. Gen. Jackson's equestrian statue 
is in a beautiful park, in the heart of the city, but 
the rebels had obliterated the inscription, " The 
Union must and shall be preserved." Shortly after 
arriving here. Dr. Boon, Hospital Steward, was dis- 
charged, and Jos. A. Gravatt appointed in his place. 

August 1st, Col. Sullivan, with a large number 
of officers and soldiers, who had been home on 



56 HISTORY OF THE 

sick-leave, returned for duty, which made the Reg- 
iment look like its former self again. On the 2d, 
the Paymaster arrived, and paid us two months 
pay. It came when it was most needed and was 
highly appreciated. 

Sept. 2d, Adjutant McGill and Lieut. Posegate 
were sent to Ohio, with a recruiting party, con- 
sisting of one sergeant from each company. The 
day following. Major Wise resigned. 

On the 4th, the Regiment was ordered on pro- 
vost-guard duty in Memphis, companies C, H and 
G being stationed at the military prison in Irving 
Block. It contained one hundred rebel prisoners 
and a number of disorderly Union soldiers. Our 
duties were very severe, as we had to be on guard 
every alternate six hours, both day and night. 

The Memphis Argus, of Sept. 7th, contained the 
following: "Cincinnati, Ohio, has surrendered to 
Gen. Kirby Smith." This was startling news to 
our Regiment. Out of the ten companies, one 
was raised in the city, and seven within a circle 
of sixty miles. Our only consolation was that it 
might turn out to be a false report, which fortu- 
nately proved to be true, as it was contradicted in 
the same paper a few days later. 

Sept. 8th, Lieut. John Kean was discharged for 
disability. On the nth, the rebel prisoners were 
sent to Vicksburg for exchange, and we returned 
to our camp in Fort Pickering. Before leaving, 
they were all furnished with new rebel uniforms by 
their friends. 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 57 

Toward the latter part of the month, the duty of 
the Regiment became very laborious. Large de- 
tails were made daily, to cut down all the timber 
within one mile of the fort, and to demolish all 
buildings within a half mile, in addition to regi- 
mental and brigade guards. On the 20th, the Reg- 
iment was sent twenty miles down the river, on a 
boat, to guard one hundred contrabands, while 
cutting and loading cane, which grew in abun- 
dance in the river bottoms, and was used by us in 
constructing fortifications. 

When the weather got cooler, in October, our 
brigade and division drills occurred more frequent- 
ly, including a "grand review " every Wednesday. 

Oct. 17th, Lieut. Posegate and his recruiting 
party returned, with a number of new recruits for 
the Regiment. On the i8th, we enlarged our 
streets and prepared more comfortable quarters 
for the winter. 

After the discharge of our cornet band at Shi- 
loh, efforts were made to make our drum corps 
more efficient, but it was not successfully carried 
out until it was placed under the leadership of 
George McMahon, after arriving here. From that 
time forward, at intervals on a march and on en- 
tering towns and cities, the band struck up some 
patriotic air, which always elicited a hearty cheer 
from the Regiment. 

Sept. 2 2d, Capt. Frazee took command of one 
hundred and fifty men of the Regiment, and went 
up the Mississippi river on a steamer to Randolph, 



58 '' HISTORY OF THE 

to reinforce a regiment of cavalry that had left 
Memphis a week previous, on a raid. We disem- 
barked and remained all night. During the eve- 
ning the cavalry made their appearance. The next 
day we returned with the cavalry to Memphis. 

On the I St of November, the Regiment was or- 
dered again on provost-guard. Companies B and 
C were stationed at the wharf, and guarded the 
Government stores. We occupied the Bradley 
Block, near the landing, for our quarters. During 
our stay the building took fire under the hearth, 
in the second story. The alarm was given, but 
before the engines arrived we had the fire under 
control. On the evening of the 4th, a strong guard 
was ordered out on patrol duty, in anticipation of 
a disturbance at the Warsham House. We pa- 
trolled the streets in that vicinity until midnight, 
but everything remained quiet ; and after partak- 
ing of a free lunch at the hotel, and receiving tick- 
ets for breakfast, we returned to our quarters. 

On the 7th, the Regiment was relieved and we 
returned to camp. Troops, under the President's 
last call, were now arriving, and by the i6th of 
November quite a large army was concentrated 
here, which was formed into divisions. Our Reg- 
ment was placed in the 3d Brigade and 3d Divis- 
ion, under orders to be ready to march on the 26th 
of November, but on the 24th we were ordered 
on provost duty in the city, to relieve the 46th Ohio. 

On the 26th, all the troops, except four or five 
regiments, left for Holly Springs, Miss. We re- 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 59 

mained in the city until the 29th, when we re- 
turned to camp. In the evening Companies A, 
B and C went on picket-duty, on the Pigeon Roost 
road, running south from Memphis, and remained 
two days. 

The rebel cotton-burners, who had been at 
work, destroying all the cotton within the vicinity 
of Memphis, to keep it from falling into the hands 
of the Government, caught a drayman of the 
city, who had been engaged to go beyond 
the lines, to haul cotton from the neighbor- 
ing plantations. The cotton was burned, and 
his mule and dray were confiscated. When he 
came through the picket-lines he informed us of 
his loss, when eight of the pickets volunteered to 
go with him and recapture his property. A ba- 
rouche passing along was pressed into the service. 
About two miles out the property was found at an 
old plantation, and returned to the drayman, who, 
with many thanks, returned home, a happy man. 

Dec. 5th, H. C. Stewart, Quartermaster Serg't., 
was discharged. He afterward served in the Q. 
M. Department until the close of the war. 



6o HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Expedition for Vicksburg — Marching Orders — Down 
the Mississippi — Milliken's Bend — Up the Yazoo — 
March Through the Swamps — First Attack on Vicks- 
burg — Picketing — Evacuation — Up the Mississippi 
and Arkansas Rivers — Arkansas Post — Battle and 
Capture of the Garrison — Loss in Killed and Wounded. 

JNOTHER expedition was now organized, 
1^ under Gen. Sherman, for Vicksburg, to pro- 
ceed by boats down the Mississippi river. As 
we were not yet assigned to any Division, we had 
concluded that we would spend Christmas at 
Memphis, and had written home to that effect. 
But on the 19th of December Lieut. Col. Parker 
made a request of Gen. Hurlbut, Commander of 
the Post, to have the Regiment relieved of garri- 
son duty, so as to join the expedition. Such re- 
quests are always granted, and on the following 
day we were ordered on board the steamer " City 
of Alton." We were placed in the second brig- 
ade, with the 19th Ky., 77th, 97th, io8th and 130th 
Illinois regiments, commanded by Col. W. J. Lan- 
drum, of the 19th Ky., and in the Division com- 
manded by Gen. A. J. Smith. 

The Regiment was in command of Lieut. Col. 
Parker. Col. Sullivan, who was still suffering from 
his wound, had been appointed president of a mil- 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 6 1 

itary board, and was left behind. Lieut. Quarter- 
maw was also left, with several members of the 
Regiment, who were unable for duty. 

On leaving Camp Dennison for active service, 
the Regiment had thirteen teams and five ambu- 
lances. But now we were only allowed five teams 
and one ambulance, which was shortly after still 
further reduced to two teams. 

During Saturday the troops embarked on the 
boats. That night they were paid two months' 
pay, and on Sunday, Dec. 21st, 1862, the Division 
left at 2 P. M. Memphis, where we had spent the 
last five months, was soon lost to view. The boat 
ran until i o'clock that night, then tied up at Fri- 
ar's Point, twelve miles below Helena, Ark. Here 
the fleet of forty-five transports, loaded with troops, 
and several gun-boats, joined us. The whole fleet 
left on the following morning, stopping at sun- 
down, twenty-five miles above Napoleon, Ark. — 
Leaving early the next day, we arrived at Milli- 
ken's Bend, La., early on Christmas morning, where 
we remained until the first brigade destroyed the 
Shreveport & Texas R. R. 

Our next point was Vicksburg, which is located 
at the upper end of one of the great bends of the 
Mississippi river, on the south-east bank. It is 
situated on very high bluffs, which would almost 
bar a direct attack from the front. The hills ex- 
tend north-east to Haines' Bluff, on the Yazoo riv- 
er, about ten miles above where it empties into 
the Mississippi. Between these hills and the two 



62 HISTORY OF THE 

rivers are the Yazoo Swamps, noted for their dense 
woods and low, marshy lands, part of which was 
once the old bed of the Yazoo. 

On the 26th we proceeded down the Mississippi 
to the mouth of the Yazoo, and up that river about 
six miles, where we landed on the south bank, on 
the 27th, with two days' rations, and bivouacked 
for the night on the river bank. During the eve- 
ning we received orders to move on the following 
morning (Sunday) at four o'clock. We were on 
the march with our brigade at the appointed time. 
After following up the Yazoo two or three miles, 
we turned to the right, and marched several miles 
through a thick-timbered swamp. At about 8 A. 
M. the booming of cannon and the crash of mus- 
ketry on our left told us the battle had begun. — 
We formed in line of battle, marched to the left of 
the road and halted. The fighting on our left in- 
creased with every volley. The smoke and fog 
became so thick we could scarcely see twenty 
yards in advance. We remained there a short 
time, when we were ordered forward, and after 
passing the troops in reserve, we soon reached the 
skirmish line of the 77th Ills. We then advanced 
with them in line of battle, through a dense forest 
of live-oak and cypress, covered with Spanish 
moss. We drove the enemy's pickets about a 
mile, when we came in sight of their fortifications, 
situated on a high hill, in front of which they had 
cut down the timber. We remained in sight of 
their batteries until evening, when the Regiment 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 63 

returned to the Division, about one mile in the 
rear, and camped for the night, leaving the 77th 
Ills, on picket. 

The battle on our left continued without any in- 
termission all day. The next day, 29th, at day- 
break, the firing was resumed on our left, and was 
kept up as on the previous day. We remained in 
reserve until evening, when two companies were 
ordered on picket in the rear. That evening a 
heavy rain set in and continued all night. The 
day following being too wet for military opera- 
tions, we remained in camp. 

Dec. 31st, the Regiment went on picket, occu- 
pying the position the 77th Ills, held on the 28th, 
with the right of the Regiment extending to the 
Mississippi river above Vicksburg. We relieved 
the old guards at 9 A. M. under a heavy fire. We 
spent a quiet day, except an occasional shot from 
the rebel pickets. That night we suffered from 
the cold weather, having left everything but our 
rubber blankets on the boat. In the absence of 
woolen blankets, the pickets in reserve made beds 
out of Spanish moss. 

January ist, 1863, we were relieved, and re- 
turned to camp in the rear again. New Year's 
day was spent in making shelter, gathering leaves 
and moss for beds, and cleaning our camp-ground. 
But we were not permitted to enjoy our comforta- 
ble booths. At 9 o'clock that evening. Companies 
C and K were sent to the landing, with orders to 
load all our stores by 4 o'clock next morning on 



64 HISTORY OF THE 

board the steamer "City of Alton," as the army 
was to evacuate at that time. We labored 
hard all night, and at daylight the troops em- 
barked on the boats, but the fleet did not leave 
until I o'clock P. M. Shortly after leaving, a vio- 
lent rain-storm began and raged two days and 
nights. What our condition would have been had 
we remained in that dismal swamp, called by the 
soldiers "the valley of death," can better be im- 
agined than described. 

The campaign contemplated an attack on Vicks- 
burg, by Gen. Grant's army marching through 
Mississippi from Memphis, and getting in the rear 
of Vicksburg, while Gen. Sherman, with 40,000 
men, was to descend the Mississippi river, and at- 
tack from the north, on Chickasaw Bayou. But 
the day before Gen. Sherman left Memphis with 
his fleet, Holly Springs, Gen. Grant's base of sup- 
plies, with its immense quantity of military stores, 
had surrendered to the rebels without firing a shot, 
which compelled Gen. Grant to retreat. Gen. 
Sherman not being aware of this, made the attack 
alone. The enemy then sent their troops by rail 
to Vicksburg in such numbers that they soon out- 
numbered us. They being behind fortifications, 
had every advantage, which made it an unequal 
contest. After a loss of about 2,000 men, Gen. 
Sherman withdrew his army, and on the 4th of Jan- 
uary, 1863, was relieved by Gen. McClernand, who 
assumed command and divided the army into two 
corps. Gen. Morgan commanded the first corps, 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 65 

to which our Division — A. J. Smith's — belonged. 
This Division afterward became the 13th Corps, 
and Gen. Sherman was placed in command of the 
second Corps. 

Gen. McClernand soon after ordered the army 
to Arkansas Post. We now proceeded up the Mis- 
sissippi with the fleet, arriving at the mouth of 
White river during the night of the 7th of January. 
We remained until the 9th, then started up White 
river. Upon reaching the cut-off, we crossed to 
the Arkansas, and passed up that river to within 
three miles of Arkansas Post, and tied up on the 
right bank at 10 o'clock A. M., Jan. loth. The 
troops disembarked, with two days rations, and at 
3 P. M. we started up the river. After marching 
an hour, we halted in a corn field, and after par- 
taking of a hasty supper, we resumed our march. 
In the meantime the gun- boats had opened a 
heavy fire on the rebel batteries, in the fort, which 
was continued for several hours without intermis- 
sion. After passing the gun-boats, that lay in the 
bend of the river, just below, and in range of the 
rebel batteries, we entered a dense swamp. Night 
overtook us and then our march became difficult. 
Passing over logs, through mud and water, we 
halted at 9 P. M., in the rear of the rebel fort, and 
slept on our arms. The weather was cold, and being 
without blankets, and allowed no fires, we spent a 
very disagreeable night. • ^ 

Sunday morning, Jan. nth, our brigade was or- 
dered to a position on the extreme left, within 



66 HISTORY OF THE 

sight of the fort, and a few hundred yards from 
the river. Here we remained until ii o'clock A. 
M., when, with two other regiments of the bri- 
gade, we were ordered back to the center of the 
Division, in reserve. At half-past twelve, the bat- 
teries being in position, opened, with the gun- 
boats, a terrific cannonading, which continued 
half an hour before the infantry became engaged. 
We were then ordered to the right to support Gen. 
Burbridge's brigade. Here we left our haversacks 
and blankets, and advanced in the direction of the 
fort. Upon reaching the edge of the woods, we 
were halted. 

We were now within reach of the enemy's fire, 
and now and then a shell would come crashing 
through the timber. Before us was a large, open 
field ; on the opposite side, the rebel fort ; to our 
right, their entrenchments. Half-way across the 
field was the first line of our infantry, fiercely en- 
gaged. We had halted but a few minutes, when 
Gen. A. J. Smith ordered us to the right. We had 
proceeded but a short distance, when some of the 
troops in front were thrown into confusion. At 
that moment Maj. Hammond, of Gen. Sherman's 
staff, came riding up and gave the command, "48th 
Ohio, by the left flank, double-quick, march ! " 
This put us in line of battle, facing the enemy. 
With a wild cheer, we started across the field, halt- 
ing within twenty yards of the first line of battle, 
occupied at that point by the 23d Wisconsin. — 
We were halted and ordered to lie down, when we 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 67 

were informed that Col. Parker had been wounded 
in the arm, and that Capt. Peterson, of Co. K, was 
in command of the Regiment. 

We remained here about fifteen minutes, when 
we moved forward and relieved the 23d Wisconsin, 
who were out of ammunition. This brought us 
within one hundred yards of the fort, and a field 
battery, just outside. This battery, and also one 
of steel guns, on the inside of the fort, were soon 
silenced by our unerring fire. Our batteries, 
which had been brought up, soon exploded the en- 
emy's magazines and caissons, which sent the frag- 
ments flying to every part of their works. The 
gun-boats, having disabled the two large siege 
guns, that commanded their approach, passed the 
fort, and poGred broadside after broadside into the 
enemy's rear. 

The long lines of our infantry that stretched 
a\yay to the right, had advanced under a heavy fire 
from the enemy, to within a short distance of their 
entrenchments, and were preparing for a charge, 
when the rebels, at 20 minutes past 4 P. M., raised 
the white flag. With a loud cheer, we started on 
double-quick to the fort. Our Regiment was 
among the first to enter, and our flag was the sec- 
ond planted on the rebel fortifications. Three of 
our companies were commanded by First Ser- 
geants. The Regiment lost two killed and thir- 
teen wounded. 

The army captured about 5,000 rebel prisoners 
and all their military supplies. That night, we 



68 HISTORY OF THE 

bivouacked on the battle-ground, and on the fol- 
lowing day, after destroying the fortifications, we 
camped in the woods, a short distance below the 
fort. 

Jan. 14th, the Regiment was ordered on board 
the "City of Alton," and one company on picket. 
It rained all day, and continued until midnight, 
when it turned to snow. The pickets suffered 
more from exposure that night, than at any other 
time during their entire service. 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 69 



CHAPTER IX. 

Return Down the River — Napoleon — Young's Point — 
Digging the Canal — Overflowed — Scheme Abandoned 
— Pioneer Corps — Promotions — Arrival of General 
Grant — New Camp — Milliken's Bend — Change of Sur- 
geons — Paymaster — Complimentary Order — Major 
Moats — Military Board — Seventeenth Ohio Battery. 

'E left Arkansas Post on the morning of Jan. 

''™^ 17th, and arrived at Napoleon at noon, 
where we remained Sunday, the i8th. During 
that night three of the Regiment deserted. The 
next day we started for Young's Point, situated 
opposite Vicksburg, where we arrived on the 21st. 

Our trips on steamboats were very unhealthy, 
especially when confined any length of time, with 
so large a number as we had on the "City of Al- 
ton." The 48th was put on with the io8th Illi- 
nois, that had over 1,000 men, besides Col. Land- 
rum's brigade headquarters, and all the horses 
and mules belonging to the two regiments. In 
pleasant weather the men could sleep comfortably 
almost anywhere, but during a rain or snow-storm 
the suffering from exposure was intense. 

The army was compelled to live principally on 
crackers, as there were no accommodations what- 
ever for cooking. Before leaving Arkansas Post 
the weather turned very cold, which, with the un- 



70 HISTORY OF THE 

avoidable use of the Yazoo water at Vicksburg, 
the close confinement on the over-crowded steam- 
boats, and poorly prepared food, disabled nearly 
half the troops in the whole expedition. The io8th 
Illinois, being a new regiment, suffered severely. 
Nearly three - fourths were rendered unable for 
duty, and death was thinning their ranks at a fear- 
ful rate, so that our steamer had the appearance 
of a hospital boat. Our Regiment escaped with 
scarcely any sickness, especially of a fatal char- 
acter. 

January 14th, Capt. John W. Frazee resigned, 
and on the 23d, First Lieut. Charles A. Partridge's 
resignation was accepted. The same day we dis- 
embarked, and marched three miles down the riv- 
er, and camped along the levee. On the 25th, 
the Regiment was allotted its share of the canal. 
Our portibn was the length of the Regiment, as it 
stood in two ranks. 

Jan. 26th, a detail of eight men from the Regi- 
ment was made for the gun-boat Chillicothe. In 
the attack on Fort Pemberton, March 12th, 1863, 
while the Chillicothe was shelling the fort, a shell 
from the enemy exploded at the port-hole, just as 
our gunners were in the act of loading, which ex- 
ploded their shell, aud killed Thomas Henderson, 
of company D, wounded a member of company K, 
and J. F. Holladay, of company C, in the right 
foot, which made amputation necessary. 

Our time was occupied in digging the canal 
across the bend of the river. Our part was com- 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 7 1 

pleted on the 6th of February. Some of the other 
regiments, however, were not so far advanced, 
when the river, which had been rising, broke over 
the dam at the levee that night, and flooded the 
whole peninsula with from five to seven feet of 
water, which caused the scheme to be abandoned. 

The object of the canal was to let the boats pass 
through, and thus avoid the batteries in front of 
Vicksburg. Since the close of the war, a channel 
has been cut across the point where the first at- 
tempt to dig the canal by dredge-boats was made, 
and boats are now obliged to pass through this 
channel, which in time will leave Vicksburg off at 
one side. 

On the 6th of February, the Pioneer Corps was 
organized, by transfers from each regiment in the 
brigade. The 48th furnished fifteen men as its 
quota. 

Feb. 14th, Capt. Robins resigned; on the 15th, 
Capt. Joshua Hussey; on the 20th, Capt. J. C. 
Kelsey; and on the 21st, Capt. S. G. W. Peter- 
son and Lieut. W. E. Brayman, Quartermaster. 
Lieut. J. R. Lynch was appointed Quartermaster 
in the latter's place. 

Young's Point, at that time of the year, present- 
ed a dark and gloomy aspect. In our front was the 
Mississippi river ; in the rear, a dreary swamp, 
covered with water, from one to two feet deep, 
leaving us but a narrow strip of dry land along the 
levee, on which to set our tents. The winter 
winds and heavy rains had unobstructed play on 



72 HISTORY OF THE 

our canvas dwellings, and it was a common occur- 
rence for the men to emerge from underneath their 
prostrate tents, after a heavy storm of wind and 
rain, as it swept down the Mississippi. 

On the i8th, the following commissions were 
received from Gov. Tod : J. C. Kelsey, J. A. Be- 
ring, Joshua Hussey and R. T. Wilson, promoted 
to Captains. C. P. Bratt, Geo. W. Mosgrove, 
Daniel Gunsaullus and J. R. Lynch to First Lieu- 
tenants ; Cornelius Conard, Thomas Montgomery 
and M. McCafferty to Second Lieutenants. In 
the meantime, Gen. Grant had arrived and taken 
command, and reorganized the whole army. Our 
Brigade and Division was placed in the 13th Army 
Corps, under Gen. McClernand. 

Feb. 20th, we moved a short distance up the 
river, to a higher camping-ground. The river still 
kept rising, therefore, March 9th, the Regiment 
embarked on the steamer " Hiawatha," and moved 
up with our Corps to Milliken's Bend, La., and 
camped along the levee. 

March nth. Surgeon M. F. Carey, who had 
been captured at Shiloh, having resigned after he 
was exchanged, Ass't. Surgeon Plyn. A. Willis was 
promoted to Surgeon. A. A. Johnson, our Ass't. 
Surgeon, who had remained with the Regiment 
when scarcely able to stand, and neglected him- 
self while attending to the duties of the hospital, 
and part of the time all alone, was finally com- 
pelled to resign. He took his departure when we 
left Young's Point. 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 73 

March 14th, we received four months pay, and 
sent our surplus money home by Rev John Spence, 
our Chaplain, who resigned on the i8th. The 
same day, Serg't. Major E. A. Conkling was dis- 
charged on account of disability. On the 28th, 
we were inspected by the Corps-officer of the day, 
and on the next day the following order was issued, 
in regard to our camp, and read to the troops on 
dress-parade : 

"Headquarters 13TH Army Corps, ) 
Milliken's Bend, La., March 29, 1863. j 

"Accepting the report of the Corps-officer of the 
day as a tribute to merit, the Commanding Gen- 
eral, John A. McClernand, takes great pleasure in 
commending the cleanliness and good government 
which characterizes the camps of the 48th and 
114th Ohio Infantry, as being worthy of imitation. 

[Signed] "Your Ob't Serv't. &c., 

"WALTER B. SCATES, 
"Lieut. Col. & Ass't. Adj't. Gen'l. 
"To 48th Ohio, through Gen. A. J. Smith." 

The praise received for the cleanliness and good 
order of our camp, on this as well as other occa- 
sions, was in a great measure due to the untiring 
energy of Adj't. McGill. 

April 2d, one hundred and fifteen men and two 
officers were sent as a guard, with a boat that was 
used by a military board, in collecting evidence 
along the Mississippi river, in regard to some cot- 
ton speculations. They were absent one week, 
during which time the remainder of the Regiment 
was excused from duty. While here a detail of 



74 HISTORY OF THE 

ten men was made from the Regiment to fill up 
the 17th Ohio Battery. 

Since leaving Memphis, the Regiment had lost 
by resignation fifteen officers. Their places had 
been partly filled by promotions in February. On 
the 9th of April, Capt. Moats returned from Co- 
lumbus, Ohio, promoted to Major, and took com- 
mand of the Regiment. He brought commissions 
for the following members of the Regiment : D. 
Gunsaullus, promoted to Captain ; A. M. Cochran, 
C. Conard, Thomas Montgomery, W. H. H. Rike, 
M. McCafferty, W. H. Smith and R. A. South to 
First Lieutenants; and Harvey W. Day, J. K. 
Reed, J. M. Kendall, Jesse H. Allison and W. J. 
Srofe to Second Lieutenants. Shortly after, Lieut. 
Conard, Co. A, and Lieut. Plyly, Co. B, were per- 
manently transferred to the Signal Corps, and 
Lieut. Jesse H. Allison was detailed as Aid-de- 
Camp on the staff of Col. W. J. Landrum. 

While at Milliken's Bend, the sickness contract- 
ed on steamers and at Young's Point began to ter- 
minate fatally, the mortality being confined chiefly 
to the new regiments. The muffled drums were 
heard all day long, and the parting volleys at the 
graves on the slope of the levee awoke the echoes 
across the waters of the Mississippi, while com- 
rades were laid in their last resting-place, far from 
the loved ones at home. 

" Soldier, rest ! thy warfare o'er ; 
Dream of battle-fields no more ; 
Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking, 
Morn of toil, nor night of waking." 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 75 



CHAPTER X. 

Marching Orders — To the Rear of Vicksburg — Holmes' 
Plantation — Our Gun-boats Passing the Vicksburg 
Batteries — Smith's Landing — Return of Lieut. Col. 
Parker — Lake St. Joe — Grand Gulf — Crossing the 
Mississippi at Bruinsburg — Battle of Magnolia Hills 
— Port Gibson — Grind-Stone Ford — Foragers — Rocky 
Springs — Willow Springs — Cayuga — Gen. Sherman's 
Visit — Old Auburn — Raymond — Battle of Champion 
Hills — Black River Bridge. 

jPRIL i5tb, we received marching orders, and 
left with the Corps on our way through Lou- 
isiana, to the rear of Vicksburg. The troops, as 
usual on the first day's march in a campaign, 
loaded themselves down with extra clothing, 
blankets and surplus baggage. The day proved 
to be one of those hot, sultry, spring days, with 
not a ripple of air stirring. At the first halt, 
knapsacks were unloaded, which process contin- 
ued all day. By night the army was in light 
marching order. The line of march had been 
strewn with abandoned clothing, &c., which the 
slaves gathered as we passed. We camped near 
Richmond, La., at sun-down; continued our march 
the next day and camped in the evening at 
Holmes' Plantation, Madison Parish. During the 
night the gun-boats and transports ran past the 



76 HISTORY OF THE 

batteries at Vicksburg. Gen. Sherman, in his 
"Memoirs," gives a graphic description of the pas- 
sage of the boats past the batteries. He says : 

"Gen. Grant's orders for the general movement 
past Vicksburg by Richmond and Carthage, were 
dated April 20, 1863. McClernand was to lead 
off with his corps, McPherson next, and my corps 
(the 15th) to bring up the rear. Preliminary 
thereto, on the night of April 16, seven iron-clads, 
led by Admiral Porter in person, in the Benton, 
with three transports and ten barges in tow, ran 
the Vicksburg batteries by night. Anticipating a 
scene, I had four yawl-boats hauled across the 
swamp to the reach of the river below Vicksburg, 
and manned them with soldiers, ready to pick up 
any of the disabled wrecks as they floated by. I 
was out on the stream when the fleet passed Vicks- 
burg, and the scene was truly sublime. As soon 
as the rebel gunners detected the Benton, which 
was in the lead, they opened on her, and on the 
others in succession, with shot and shell. Houses 
on the Vicksburg side and on the opposite shore 
were set on fire, which lighted up the whole river; 
and the roar of cannon, bursting of shells, and 
finally the burning of the Henry Clay, drifting 
with the current, made up a picture terrible, not 
often seen. Each gun-boat returned the fire as 
she passed the town, while the transports hugged 
the opposite shore. 

"When the Benton had got abreast of us, I 
pulled off to her, boarded, and had a few words 



FORTY -EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 77 

with Admiral Porter, and as she was drifting rap- 
idly toward the batteries at Warrenton, I left, and 
pulled back toward the shore, meeting the gun- 
boat Tuscumbia, towing the Forest Queen into 
the bank, out of the range of fire. The Forest 
Queen, Capt. Conway, had been my flag-boat up 
the Arkansas, and for some time after, and I was 
very friendly with the officers. This was the only 
transport whose Captain would not receive vol- 
unteers as a crew, but her own officers and crew 
carried her safely below the Vicksburg batteries, 
and afterward rendered splendid service in ferry- 
ing troops across the river at Grand Gulf and 
Bruinsburg. In passing Vicksburg she was dam- 
aged in the hull, and had a steam-pipe cut away, 
but this was soon repaired. The Henry Clay was 
set on fire by bursting shells, and burned up. 
One of my yawls picked up her pilot, floating on 
a piece of wreck, and the bulk of her crew es- 
caped in their own yawl-boat to the shore above. 
The Silver Wave, Capt. McMillan, the same that 
was with us up Steel's Bayou, passed safely, and 
she rendered good service afterward. 

''Subsequently, on the night of April 26th, six 
other transports, with numerous barges loaded 
with hay, corn, freight and provisions, were drift- 
ed past Vicksburg. Of these the Tigress was hit, 
and sunk just as she reached the river bank below, 
on our side. I was there with my yawls, and saw 
Col. Lagow, of Gen. Grant's staff, who had passed 
the batteries on the Tigress, and I think he was 



78 HISTORY OF THE 

satisfied never to attempt such a thing again. 
Thus Gen. Grant's army had below Vicksburg an 
abundance of stores, and boats with which to 
cross the river." 

We remained here until the 24th, when at 8 
o'clock P. M. we received orders to march in fifteen 
minutes, at which time it began to rain. In half an 
hour we were on the road, which was rough and 
slippery, and through a soil of black loam that 
had been badly cut up by the advance troops. 
The night being very dark, we made slow progress 
through the mud and rain. We halted at three 
o'clock next morning in a corn-field, at Smith's 
Landing, near Carthage. Here we were allowed 
but one wagon to the Regiment, and all the extra 
baggage was left behind. 

On the 26th, Lieut. Col. Parker, who had been 
home since he was wounded at the battle of Ar- 
kansas Post, returned and took command of the 
Regiment. Resumed our march that evening at 
7 o'clock, in the rain, and halted near midnight, 
on the road-side. We continued our march the 
next day, but owing to the rain and bad roads, 
we made but four miles. On the 28th, we reached 
the Mississippi river at noon, marched down the 
levee, and struck Lake St. Joe. On the banks of 
this delightful lake were beautiful mansions, with 
lawns, surrounded by hedge-roses in full bloom, 
which was a great contrast to the country through 
which we had passed. The high state of cultiva- 
tion of the plantations, with the droves of slaves. 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V, I. 79 

indicated that the war had reached the homes of 
the wealthy people of the South. 

On the 29th, we reached the Mississippi river 
again, and camped opposite Grand Gulf. That 
night seven gun-boats and six transports, under 
a heavy fire, and in full view of the army, ran past 
the rebel batteries. The next day, April 30th, at 
I P. M., the 48th Ohio and 77th Illinois, leaving 
wagons and all baggage behind, embarked on the 
U. S. gun-boat Louisville, of which Acting Ensign 
Frank Bates was the executive officer, and landed 
ten miles below, at Bruinsburg, Mississippi. We 
remained there until 11 o'clock that night, when 
we moved forward with the army to Port Gibson. 
We marched all night, and on account of the 
heavy firing in front, did not halt for breakfast in 
the morning, but hastened forward on double-quick 
until 10 o'clock A. M., when we reached the bat- 
tle-field of Magnolia Hills, near Port Gibson. 
This name was derived from the magnolia trees, 
which were in full bloom. 

We crossed an open field and entered a thick 
cane-brake, through which we penetrated in line 
of battle, with great difficulty. We were now in 
range of the enemy's fire, and their musket-balls 
came crashing through the cane thick and fast. 
Just as we emerged from the cane-brake into an 
open field, the enemy repulsed an Iowa regiment. 
We hurried to their assistance, which caused the 
enemy to retreat We made a halt on the crest 
of a hill, in full view of the rebel army, who still 



8o HISTORY OF THE 

held a very strong position on our right, but they, 
fearing a flank movement, withdrew in haste. 

We bivouacked on the battle-field, and during 
the night our supplies reached us. Rations were 
issued for supper, making the first meal that day. 
The long roll beat about midnight, but proved to 
be a false alarm. The only casualty in our Regi- 
ment was one wounded in Co. K. The enemy's 
fire was too high, cutting off the cane far above 
our heads. Early next morning. May 2d, we ad- 
vanced with a strong skirmish-line in front, and 
entered Port Gibson at 9 A. M., where we found 
the public and private buildings crowded with 
rebel wounded. The Regiment stacked arms on 
the side-walk, under the shade-trees. The enemy 
had retreated over the south fork of Piere river, 
destroying the bridge after them. The following 
morning we crossed the river on a pontoon bridge, 
marched all day, and crossed the north fork at 
Grindstone Ford in the evening, and camped near 
the stream. 

The provisions that we started with had lasted 
up to this time, but we had cut loose from our 
base, which prevented us from getting another 
supply. Orders were therefore issued to subsist 
on the products of the country through which we 
marched ; and from that time forward until the 
siege of Vicksburg, foraging parties, or perhaps 
better known as " bummers," were sent out daily, 
to procure all the provisions and forage that was 
required for the army. They left camp every 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 8 1 

morning, in advance of the infantry, and a curious 
sight they were to behold, as they galloped by at 
full speed, mounted on such " critters " as they 
could gather up on their expeditions. They were 
dressed in such clothes as suited their fancy — the 
Union blue, the rebel gray and butternut, with a 
considerable number in citizens' attire. 

They were a jolly, mischievous set, eager and 
ready for any adventure. No sooner were they 
beyond the lines than they began their work. 
They slaughtered the pigs in the pens ; the cattle 
and horses were driven from the fields ; smoke- 
houses and cellars were ransacked for flour, meal 
and bacon ; the chickens and turkeys were cap- 
tured in the yard ; the mules were hitched to the 
family carriage, and the provisions stowed away in 
it, when it was driven to the next plantation, where 
the same ceremony was repeated. Toward eve- 
ning the foragers returned to camp, driving the 
cattle before them, followed by a long line of ve- 
hicles of every description, loaded with all kinds 
of provisions, which was equally distributed among 
the different regiments. 

We remained at Grindstone Ford until May 
5th, when the Regiment was detailed to guard 
Gen. McClernand's headquarters. In the eve- 
ning we resumed our march, and halted at mid- 
night at Rocky Springs. We remained here until 
the 8th, when, by request of Col. W. J. Landrum, 
our brigade commander, we were relieved and 
joined our brigade at Willow Springs. We left 



82 HISTORY OF THE 

that evening, and camped at Cayuga the next 
evening. The following day. May nth, Gen. 
Sherman's Corps arrived. While his troops were 
passing, he paid us a friendly visit, and discussed 
the campaign quite familiarly with the Regiment. 
He also said, he would be pleased to have us back 
again in his Corps. When he took his departure, 
three rousing cheers were given for Gen. Sher- 
man, the favorite of the 48th. 

We left May 12th, and camped the day follow- 
ing at Old Auburn, where we remained until 
the 15th, when we left for Raymond, arriving 
there in the evening, and camped near the bat- 
tle-field of the 1 2th. On the morning of the i6th, 
the 48th Ohio and 19th Ky. were ordered to guard 
the Division train. The enemy was now contend- 
ing for every foot of advantageous ground, which 
made our advance very slow. At 11 A. M. they 
made a bold stand with 25,000 men, at Champion 
Hills, a very strong position. Our troops were 
now hurried forward. The artillery passed us on 
a gallop. Regiment after regiment went by on 
the double-quick, covered with dust, which told 
plainly of many miles traveled that morning. We 
were still guarding the train, but when the battle 
commenced we were relieved by request of Lieut. 
Col. Parker and sent to our Division, on the ex- 
treme left, and placed in the reserve. By 2 
o'clock P. M. Gen. Hovey had made several un- 
successful attempts to drive the enemy from his 
position, but was repulsed with a heavy loss. In 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 83 

the meantime, our Corps on the left, and Gen. 
Logan on the right, were swinging around to their 
rear. Gen. Logan, reaching their exposed point 
first, made a sudden attack, in which the rebels 
lost heavily in killed and wounded, and one entire 
brigade was taken prisoners. Their whole line 
wavered, then fled in disorder to the fortifications 
at Big Black. Our army lost in killed and wound- 
ed 2,500 men, the rebel loss being about the same. 
The enemy was pursued until dark, and on the 
following morning the army advanced and found 
the rebels behind their works, at Black River 
Bridge. 

The enemy had already been defeated on four 
battle-fields of their own selection ; but now they 
were behind their fortifications, and firmly be- 
lieved they could not be driven farther. After 
some brisk skirmishing the troops were placed in 
position. Our Division occupied the extreme left. 
When the command was given for the assault, the 
movement was executed so suddenly that our 
forces were in the enemy's works before they could 
realize their situation, capturing 18 pieces of artil- 
lery and 1,800 prisoners. The rest fled, badly de- 
moralized, to Vicksburg. During the day we found 
the country full of rebels, who had been separated 
from their commands in the rout. Our Regiment 
captured quite a number, and turned them over to 
the io8th Ills, that evening at Black River Bridge. 

We camped that night inside the fortifications. 
One company was sent on picket on the extreme 



84 HISTORY OF THE 

left of our line. The two armies having been so 
near each other since the 15th, the foragers did 
not have an opportunity to collect supplies suffi- 
cient for the whole army ; therefore the Regiment 
was compelled to eat parched corn for breakfast 
the next morning. 

As soon as the pontoon over Black river was 
completed, our brigade crossed and took the ad- 
vance of the army, camping that evening within 
seven miles of Vicksburg. On all sides the evi- 
dences of the complete rout and panic of the en- 
emy were to be seen — abandoned camps, baggage, 
artillery wagons, ammunition, and arms of every 
description, lined the road. This was one of the 
most exciting periods of our service ; fighting by 
day and marching at night, and resting only when 
the road became obstructed with troops or wagon- 
trains. From early morning until late at night the 
rattle of musketry and roar of artillery was heard, 
while the enemy was being forced back from every 
point. But the romance of this was soon to pass 
away, and the rather monotonous work of digging 
rifle-pits and building fortifications was to com- 
mence. 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 85 



CHAPTER XI. 

SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 

Assault on the Nineteenth — Attack on the Twentieth — 
Charge on the Twenty-Second — Our Flag on the Eebel 
Fort — Retreat After Night — Killed and Wounded — 
Extract from Cincinnati Commercial — Flag of Truce 
— Burying the Dead — Picketing and Mining — Blow- 
ing Up of Fort Hill — Surrender of Vicksburg, July 4th. 

^gN the morning of May 19th, we advanced 
^B^ again, and after a two hours' march, over a 
very rugged and hilly country, we came in sight 
of Vicksburg, which is built on a series of high 
bluffs, and contained 10,000 inhabitants. The de- 
fenses of the city consisted of a chain of forts, at 
intervals of 800 yards, for a distance of seven 
miles, both right and left, resting on the Mississip- 
pi river, and forming a semi-circle around the city. 
The rifle-pits filled the intervals between the forts. 
In front of these was a ditch fifteen feet wide and 
ten feet deep. The works were more formidable 
than we expected to find them, showing that they 
were fully prepared to receive us. 

As soon as the enemy discovered us advancing 
over the hills, they opened on us with their artil- 
lery. Our batteries were hurried forward into po- 
sition, and under their fire we advanced a short 



86 HISTORY OF THE 

distance and halted in a ravine. At lo A. M., 
Gen. A. J. Smith ordered all the officers of the 
Regiment to report at his headquarters. On ar- 
riving there, he told them to inform their men 
that at 2 o'clock P. M. we would storm the rebel 
works. The news was received by the Regiment 
in a quiet and serious manner, and the suspense 
until 2 o'clock was somewhat like that of the cul- 
prit awaiting the hour of his execution. Promptly 
at the hour the signal-gun was fired, and the order 
came, "Forward, 48th !" We started up the hill, 
and on reaching the summit we were greeted with 
shot and shell from the rebel forts ; but without 
faltering, on we went, down into the next ravine, 
through brush and over fallen trees. Arriving at 
the foot of a hill, we continued up the narrow val- 
ley under the guns of the fort, and drove the rebel 
outposts into their fortifications, when a halt was 
ordered, to allow the troops to join us on the left. 
By the time they made the connection the sun 
was setting in the west. Our opportunity for tak- 
ing Vicksburg that day had passed, and we biv- 
ouacked for the night. 

May 20th, we remained there until 3 P. M., 
when we moved to the left of our Division. On 
arriving there, we were ordered across an open 
field to gain a strong position behind a bluff, still 
nearer to the rebel works. We went over the field 
on double-quick, one company at a time, in full 
range of their artillery and infantry fire. The 
movement was very successfully executed, and our 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 87 

loss was one color-guard mortally wounded. Ad- 
jutant McGill made a narrow escape, with a ball 
through his cap. From this position we returned 
the enemy's fire with considerable effect. At 9 P. 
M. we were relieved by the nth Wisconsin, and 
returned to the rear. 

The next day, May 21st, was employed in long- 
range artillery practice and maneuvering for ad- 
vantageous positions. 

May 2 2d, orders were issued for a general as- 
sault along the lines at 11 o'clock A. M. The 
echo of the signal-gun had scarcely died away, 
when our brigade was ordered forward to take 
the fort in our front, situated on a hill, in an 
angle of their intrench ments, where their guns 
commanded every approach. Down the ravine 
we started on double-quick, checking our speed 
for a moment in a deep gully, to reform our line 
before facing the fort, whose incessant fire shook 
the ground at every discharge. Then on we went, 
up the hill, through the brush and undergrowth, 
but did not check our speed until the right of the 
Regiment, in conjunction with the left of the 77th 
Illinois, reached the fort. Leaping into the ditch, 
and climbing the parapet, the colors of the 48th 
Ohio and 77th Illinois were planted on the fort. 
The rebel gunners surrendered and were hurried 
to the rear. During this charge Major Moats was 
mortally wounded in the knee. 

We were now exposed to an enfilading fire from 
the right and left, which was thinning our ranks at 



88 HISTORY OF THE 

a fearful rate. We were left there to contend 
against great odds, without any assistance what- 
ever. At 4 P. M. the rebels massed their troops 
on our front, and attacked us with great fury, and 
re-took the fort, capturing the colors and fifty men 
of the 77th Ills. Ike Carmin, one of our color- 
guards, with a bayonet-wound in the leg, clung to 
our flag and saved it from sharing the same fate. 
This was the signal for a second attack on both 
sides. Another charge was ordered all along the 
line. It was a glorious sight to see our troops ad- 
vancing in plain view over the hills, to our assist- 
ance. But as soon as they got within range of 
the rebel fire, they were mown down and almost 
annihilated. So destructive was the concentrated 
fire of the enemy, that not a single man of those 
sent to reinforce us reached our line. In the 
meantime, a few spades and shovels had been 
brought up, with which the Regiment hastily threw 
up rude entrenchments, from which they kept up 
an unceasing fire until dark, when the firing ceased 
and all became quiet. We remained on the battle- 
field until the town clock in Vicksburg struck the 
hour of 10 P. M., when we were ordered to retreat, 
which we accomplished without being discovered 
by the enemy. Before the engagement com- 
menced, stretcher-bearers were detailed to carry 
the wounded of the Regiment off the battle-field. 
They succeeded in removing all the wounded to 
the rear. 

When we retreated we attempted to carry off 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 89 

our dead, but on account of the darkness and the 
rugged nature of the locality, we had to abandon 
the undertaking, and leave them where they fell. 

The following is an extract from the Cincinnati 
Commercial, of June ist, 1863 : 

"On the left. Gen. McClernand commenced the 
assault earlier than any other commander. The 
first advance was made by McClernand's center, 
Gen. A. J. Smith's Divison of two brigades, com- 
manded by Col. Landrum and Gen. Burbridge. 
As early as 11 o'clock Col. Landrum's men took 
a fort, and were in actual possession of it. Gen. 
Osterhouse, on their left, made a breach in the 
south side of the works, with his artillery. There 
were two companies of rebel soldiers in it at the 
time. One of them ran away, and the other act- 
ually burrowed their way through the earth to our 
men in front, and surrendered as prisoners. Lan- 
drum, on obtaining possession of the fort, put a 
pioneer force at work to throw up earth-works in 
the rear,, so as to bring the guns of the fort to bear 
upon the rebels. In constructing the fortifications, 
the rebels left the rear of all the forts open, to 
give them an opportunity to assail our men, in the 
event of our success in driving them out. The 
flags of the 48th Ohio, 77th Illinois and 19th Ky. 
floated from the inner slope of the parapet from 
half-past IT A. M. till 4 P. M. At the latter hour 
the rebels were seen preparing for a charge, to 
re-take the fort. An entire brigade was about to 
be pitted against a few companies. Our men did 



90 HISTORY OF THE 

not receive the support which had been promised 
them, and were compelled to fall back, leaving 
the enemy again in possession of the fort. The 
48th Ohio acquitted itself very creditably in the 
affair. The conduct of its officers and men is 
highly spoken of. I enclose a list of the casual- 
ties of the Regiment. * * * 

"List of killed and wounded, 48th Ohio : Lieut. 
Col. Parker, wounded in the face with rifle-ball ; 
Maj. V. H. Moats, wounded in leg ; Co. A, Serg't. 
John Yosf, killed; Alonzo Smith, killed; Mahlon 
Davis, killed ; David Woosley, wounded danger- 
ously ; Isaac McPherson, wounded dangerously ; 
Isaac Carmin, wounded severely ; Co. B, John 
Cooper, wounded dangerously ; Isaac Scott, 
wounded dangerously ; Co. C, Serg't. Charles 
Weber, killed ; Serg't. J. D. Leonard, wounded 
slightly ; Corp. Sam'l Hair, wounded slightly ; 
George Pfister, wounded severely ; L. A. Wil- 
liams, wounded mortally ; Co. D, Joseph Balon, 
killed ; Serg't. John Wilson, wounded slightly ; 
Co. E, Carl Hough, wounded severely ; Henry 
Stitchter, wounded severely ; Co. F, Lewis 
Farris, wounded dangerously ; John Kead, 
wounded severely ; Thos. O'Borke, wounded se- 
verely ; Co. G, Serg't. James Sweet, killed ; Peter A. 
Deler, wounded in the head ; Co. H, Jacob David- 
son, wounded severely ; Co. I, Elliott J. Bich, 
killed ; John W. Hubbard, killed ; Chris. O. Sroffe, 
killed ; Co. K, Elias Conover, wounded slightly ; 
Henry Knob, wounded slightly; W. A. Chaffin, 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 9 1 

killed. * * * Total, ten killed and twenty- 
five wounded. MACK." 

The work entitled, "The Battles for the Union," 
in giving an account of that charge, says : 

"The colors of the 48th Ohio and 77th Illinois 
were placed on the bastion, and within the next 
quarter of an hour the brigade of Benton and 
Burbridge, fired by this example, had carried 
the ditch of another strong earthwork, while Capt. 
White, of the Chicago Mercantile Battery, car- 
ried forward one of his guns by hand to the ditch, 
double shotted it and fired into the embrasures." 

Gen. Sherman, in his "Memoirs," says : 

"The two several assaults made May 2 2d, on 
the lines of Vicksburg, had failed, by reason of 
the great strength of the position, and the 
determined fighting of its garrison. I have 
since seen the position of Sevastopol, and without 
hesitation, I declare that at Vicksburg to have 
been the more difficult of the two." 

May 23d, we occupied our old camp, and but 
few shots were exchanged between the two armies 
until the 25th, when the rebels agreed to cease 
hostilities for two hours in order to permit us to 
bury our dead and remove our wounded, some of 
whom were left on the battle-field where they fell. 
During the truce we proceeded to the position oc- 
cupied by our Regiment during the assault. The 
rebel Colonel, in command of the fort on which 
we planted our flag on the 22d, informed Col. 
Parker that they had buried all the dead in 



92 HISTORY OF THE 

that vicinity. The battle-field presented a ghast- 
ly sight. The dead lay thick, in every conceivable 
position, on the hill-side beneath the rebel in- 
trenchments. Some of the wounded were still 
alive, but in a terrible condition, having lain be- 
tween the contending armies for three days with- 
out food, water or medical attention. After the 
burial parties had performed their sad task, we 
withdrew from the field, and the firing was resumed 
on both sides. 

Our army lost on the 2 2d, 3,000 killed and 
wounded, and nothing accomplished. Gen. 
Grant became convinced by this time that Vicks- 
burg was too strong to be taken by assault, and 
therefore wisely concluded to lay a regular siege. 
The troops were encamped in the numerous 
ravines. Our Regiment was in a ravine near the 
R. R. bridge, and within reach of the enemy's guns, 
but the hills protected us from their direct fire. 
Nevertheless, stray shots were too numerous to be 
comfortable. Several men were wounded in their 
tents, but none fatally in our Regiment. 

Our duty was to dig and man one of the rifle- 
pits, which was within one hundred yards of one 
of their main forts. To approach these rifle-pits, 
tunnels were made through the hills, thus con- 
necting the ravines. The details for pickets and 
for digging rifle-pits, were always sent to their 
posts and relieved very quietly during the night. 
In some places we succeeded in digging the rifle- 
pits to within a few feet of their fort, being pro- 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 



93 



tected from their musketry by large bundles of 
cane, that were kept in front while approaching, 
the enemy in the meantime trying to get posses- 
sion of the cane by means of hooks attached to 
long poles, or destroying them by throwing tur- 
pentine-balls and setting them on fire, while our 
men in return would annoy them by throwing 
hand grenades and short-fuse shells into their fort, 
which usually elicited quite a spirited conversa- 
tion between the combatants. 

June 3d, Lieut.-Col. J. R. Parker, having re- 
ceived a leave of absence, went home, leaving 
Capt. Lindsey in command of the Regiment. — 
Shortly after. Col. Sullivan arrived and took com- 
mand. June 2 2d, Lieut. J. H. Allison, A. D. C. on 
the staff of Col. Landrum, being sick, Lieut. Mont- 
gomery was detailed to take his place during the 
siege. On the 25th, Capt. F. M. Posegate, of Co. D, 
resigned. 

Gen. McPherson, who had been undermining 
Fort Hill, had completed it by the 25th, and was 
then ready to blow up the fort. The troops were 
therefore placed in the advance rifle-pits, ready to 
rush into the breach and capture Vicksburg, should 
he be successful in blowing it up ; but the explo- 
sion did not result in destroying the works to such 
an extent as to enable the troops to enter. After 
the explosion, we were ordered back to our camp. 

Our duties were getting more arduous every 
day, besides being continually under fire, until 
July 3d, when Gen. Pemberton sent Gen. Bowen 



94 HISTORY OF THE 

and Col. Montgomery, under a flag of truce, with 
a proposition for the surrender of Vicksburg. They 
were taken, with their eyes bandaged, to our bri- 
gade headquarters, and had a consultation with 
Gen. Grant, but he would not consent to anything 
but an unconditional surrender. Nevertheless, he 
agreed to hold a conference with Gen. Pemberton, 
to discuss the matter. Accordingly, they met un- 
der a tree, between the two armies, who had now 
ceased firing and were watching with great interest 
the movements of the Generals. The last proposi- 
tion made by Gen. Grant was, that they should be 
paroled, the officers permitted to retain their side- 
arms and private property, and to stack tlieir arms 
outside the fortifications. Gen. Pemberton with- 
drew to consult with his officers, and Gen. Grant 
issued an order to the troops "that the armistice 
should continue in force until 8 A. M., July 4th; 
then, if the enemy did not accept his terms, hos- 
tilities would be resumed." But on the morning 
of July 4th, before the time expired, they raised 
the white flag, and Vicksburg, after a campaign of 
over six months, and a siege of forty-eight days, 
with its immense fortifications, arms, munitions, 
and 37,000 prisoners, was ours. The entire rebel 
loss during the Vicksburg campaign in killed, 
wounded and prisoners, according to " Badeau," 
was 56,000. 

The following vivid description of Vicksburg 
during the siege, is from the work, " The Battles 
for the Union : " 



' FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 95 

" Every day further progress was made in dig- 
ging and mining, and at length a point was reached 
where the batteries could send their screaming shells 
directly to the heart of the city. A reign of terror 
took possession of the town, and its inhabitants 
dug themselves caves in the earth, seeking protec- 
tion against the missiles of destruction which daily 
and nightly dropped in their midst. Such can- 
nonading and shelling has perhaps scarcely been 
equaled. It was not safe from behind or before, 
and every part of the city was alike within range 
of the Federal guns. * * * 

" Porter's gun-boats, with thirteen-inch mortars 
and one-hundred-pound Parrott guns, safely an- 
chored under the high bank below Vicksburg, sen- 
tineled the river above and below. A three-gun 
battery, on the peninsula opposite, played havoc 
with the Confederate garrison, burning up their 
shot-and-shell foundry. While the enemy's forts 
were being mined, counter-mines were dug by 
them, and the sound of their picks could be heard 
through the thin wall of earth which separated the 
hostile armies. 

" For six weeks our batteries never ceased drop- 
ping their shot and shell on the doomed city. 
Food became scarce, and the inhabitants grew 
wan and thin in their narrow dens. At last, de- 
spairing of Johnston's aid in raising the siege, and 
believing that Grant was ready for another assault 
on his works, they hung out the white flag in front 
of Gen. A. J. Smith's Division." 



g6 HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER XII. 

Marching Orders for Jackson — Excessive Heat — Siege 
of Jackson — Gen. Johnston Evacuates — Keturn to 
Vicksburg — Furloughs — Col. P. J. Sullivan Eesigna 
— Steamer "City of Madison" Blown Up — Embarking 
for New Orleans — Camp at Carrollton — Grand Re- 
view by Gens. Grant and Banks — Extract from New 
Orleans Era. 

^E had scarcely time that day to give vent to 
our joy at the surrender, before we were or- 
dered to march in pursuit of Gen. Johnston, who 
was collecting quite an army at Jackson, Miss. 

At daybreak on the morning of July 5th, we 
were on the march, and continued from day to 
day, under a sweltering July sun, until the loth, 
when we reached the fortifications around Jack- 
son. Our Regiment was then deployed as skir- 
mishers, and advanced through the timber and 
bivouacked for the night. The following day we 
were ordered to the right, in support of the first 
brigade, where we remained during the siege, 
principally engaged in picket duty. On the rnorn- 
ing of the 17th, we discovered that Gen. Johnston, 
after destroying his stores, had evacuated the pre- 
ceding night. The loss of our Corps (13th) in 
killed and wounded was 760. 

Gen. Sherman, who was in command of the 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 97 

troops sent against Gen. Joe Johnston, gives the 
following account of the Jackson campaign ; 

" July 4th, Vicksburg surrendered, and orders 
were given for at once attacking Gen. Johnston. 
The 13th Corps (Gen. Ord) was ordered to 
march rapidly and" cross the Big Black at the rail- 
road bridge, the 15th by Messinger's, and the 9th 
(Gen. Parkes') by Birdsong's Ferry ; all to con- 
verge on Bolton. My corps crossed the Big Black 
during the 5 th and 6th of July, and marched for 
Bolton, where we came in with Gen. Ord's troops, 
but the 9th Corps was delayed in crossing at Bird- 
song's. Johnston had received timely notice of 
Pemberton's surrender, and was in full retreat for 
Jackson. On the 8th, all our troops reached the 
neighborhood of Clinton, the weather fearfully 
hot, and water scarce. Johnston had marched 
rapidly, and in retreating had caused cattle, hogs 
and sheep to be driven into the ponds of water, 
and there shot down, so that we had to haul their 
dead carcases out to use the water. On the loth 
of July we had driven the rebel army into Jackson, 
where it turned at bay behind the intrench- 
ments, which had been enlarged and strengthened 
since our former visit in May. We closed our 
lines about Jackson; my corps (15th) held the 
center, extending from the Clinton to the Ray- 
mond road ; Ord's (13th) on the right, reaching 
Pearl River below the town; and Parkes' (9th) 
the left, above the town. On the nth we pressed 
close in and shelled the town from every direction. 



98 HISTORY OF THE 

" One of Ord's brigades (Lauman's) got too 
close, and was very roughly handled and driven 
back in disorder. Gen. Ord accused the com- 
mander (Gen. Lauman) of having disregarded his 
orders, and attributed to him personally the disas- 
ter and heavy loss of men. He requested his re- 
lief, which I granted, and Gen. Lauman went to 
the rear, and never regained his division. * * * 

"The weather was fearfully hot, but we contin- 
ued to press the siege day and night, using our ar- 
tillery pretty freely, and on the morning of July 
17th, the place was found evacuated. Gen. Steele's 
division was sent in pursuit as far as Brandon, 
(fourteen miles), but Gen. Johnston had carried 
his army safely off, and pursuit in that hot weather 
would have been fatal to my command. Report- 
ing the fact to Gen. Grant, he ordered me to re- 
turn, to send Gen. Parkes' corps to Haines' 
Bluff, Gen. Ord's back to Vicksburg, and he con- 
sented that I should encamp my whole corps near 
the Big Black, pretty much on the same ground 
we had occupied before the movement, and with 
the prospect of a period of rest for the remainder 
of the summer. We reached our camps on the 
27th of July." 

On the 2 1 St, we were ordered back to Vicksburg. 
We arrived at our old camp during the night of the 
23d. The following day we marched through 
Vicksburg and camped one mile below, on the 
Mississippi river. Here we received our tents, 
having slept in the open air, exposed to the 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 99 

changeable weather, since April, which, together 
with short rations, being at times compelled to 
subsist on green corn alone, caused considerable 
sickness in the Regiment. 

July 25th, we received notice that Major Moats 
had died on the nth inst., from the effects of the 
wound received at the charge of the 22d of May. 
He was a brave, faithful and unassuming officer, 
and was held in high esteem by the whole Regi- 
ment. - 

We now resumed our daily routine of camp 
duty, that had been interrupted during the siege, 
which, after reveille, at daylight, consisted in at- 
tending roll-call ; then followed guard-mounting 
and sick-call ; after this, company drill until ii 
A. M. In the afternoon we had battalion or bri- 
gade drill, and occasionally a "grand review," 
closing the day's exercises with dress-parade at 
sun-down, tattoo by the band at 9 o'clock, and 
"taps" at 10 P. M., when the guards ordered "lights 
out." Soon after, the Regiment was wrapped in 
slumber, as peaceful as though there was no war 
devastating the land. Thus the days slowly passed, 
while we lay broiling in the hot sun, in an open 
field, on the banks of the Mississippi. 

After the siege, the Regiment received the En- 
field Rifle in exchange for the old Austrian, which 
was a much better weapon for service, and we 
were well pleased with the change. 

From one of the letters written home in August, 
1863, we take the following ; 



lOO HISTORY OF THE 

"Yesterday I concluded to pay a visit to the 
Yazoo Swamps, where our army was during the un- 
successful attack on Vicksburg last December. 
Accordingly, after breakfast, I mounted my charg- 
er, and in an hour's ride 1 passed through Vicks- 
burg and by all the upper river batteries. From 
there I descended into the valley, which we occu- 
pied last winter. After a careful survey of the 
ground which the rebels occupied, and that which 
was held by us, I have come to the conclusion 
that their position was as near impregnable as art 
and nature could make it. The swamps are as 
silent and dismal-looking as ever. The valley is 
covered with a rank growth of timber, under- 
brush and creeping vines. The limbs of the trees 
are covered with gray Spanish moss, that hangs in 
different lengths from every twig. It is this that 
gives it the air of solemnity, more than anything 
else. Add to this the rattle of musketry, the 
booming of cannon, a heavy rain, and then under 
cover of darkness to get out on double-quick, and 
leave on the boats for the Mississippi river, and 
last, but not least, to have it said that you are 
whipped, that Vicksburg can't be taken, then per- 
haps you can form a faint idea how we felt while 
going up the river, and why it was called ' The 
Valley of Death.' 

"In one of my letters at that time I spoke of a 
solitary sentinel, who was standing guard before a 
battery of four siege-guns. That battery is still 
there, and a splendid one it is, but Mr. Reb. is 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. lOI 

missing. In his stead are two blue-coats, who, I 
think, will attend to the guns for some time to 
come. After a minute inspection of every ditch 
and battery on my route, I returned to camp, 
where I arrived in the afternoon, with my mind 
stored with zigzag ditches, breastworks, fortifica- 
tions and numerous war implements." 

While here, orders were given to issue thirty 
days' furlough to two men of each company; and all 
officers in excess of one to each company were 
granted thirty days leave of absence. Col. Sulli- 
van, who had resigned on account of disability, 
produced by his wound received at Shiloh, in an 
appropriate speech bade the Regiment farewell, 
and left for home, August 9th, which left Capt. 
J. A. Bering in command. Lieut. Robt. McGill 
having also resigned, LieuJ:. R. A. South was ap- 
pointed Adjutant, to fill the vacancy. On the 12th 
of August, Gen. E. O. C. Ord, who had superseded 
Gen. McClernand in command of the 13th Army 
Corps during the siege, was ordered to transfer his 
Corps to New Orleans, which severed our connec- 
tion with the old "Army of the Tennessee," in 
which we had served since March 6th, 1862. 

By this time, quite a number who had been ab- 
sent for various causes, rejoined the Regiment. 
On the 19th, a detail of twenty men from the bri- 
gade was sent to load the steamer "City of Madi- 
son" with ammunition for our Corps, but a shell 
exploding, ignited the ammunition and blew the 
boat to atoms, killing and wounding quite a num- 



I02 HISTORY OF THE 

ber, among the latter M. J. Grady, of Company A. 
The remainder of our Regiment escaped without 
injury. 

A second detail was made, to load another 
steamer with the ammunition, which was put in 
charge of Lieut. Montgomery, who, after loading 
the boat, arrived with it at Carrollton, Aug. 31st. 

On the 25th of August, the Regiment embarked 
for New Orleans on the steamer "Atlantic," with 
the 77th Ills, and Chicago Mercantile Battery, and 
arrived at Carrollton, five miles above New Or- 
leans, on the 27th, and with the Division, in com- 
mand of Gen. Burbridge, encamped in the old 
rebel camp "De Mar." Sept. ist, Capt. Tice ar- 
rived and took command of the Regiment. 

On the 9th, we moved our camp to Greenville 
Station, on the Carrollton & New Orleans R. R., 
in a beautiful grove of pecan trees. New Orleans 
had always been a city of great note for pleasure- 
seekers, and the war had made but little change in 
that respect. Therefore, as soon as we arrived at 
the Crescent City, enjoyment was the order of the 
day. During our stay, excursion parties were made 
up to visit the most notable places. This, with 
the very light duties required of us, made it one 
ofthe most pleasant periods of our service. 

To the Northern soldier. New Orleans was 
very attractive, as it resembled more a foreign 
than an American city. The houses, especially 
in the suburbs, occupy a position back from 
the streets, in front of which are shrubbery and 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 103 

flowers. These, with the indispensable veranda, 
give the dwellings a cool and inviting look. The 
inhabitants, who are of French and Spanish de- 
scent, interest the stranger with their peculiar man- 
ners and customs. 

The French market, on a Sunday morning, is an 
interesting scene. It is open until noon, and is 
thronged with customers. The stores are open 
until II A. M., when they close for the Sabbath, 
the observance of which consists principally in 
promenading on Canal street, which is said to be 
the finest street in America. It is very wide, and 
in the center runs a street railroad, on each side 
of which are beautiful shade trees, which form 
a complete arch over the track. 

Cellars and wells are out of the question in this 
low, marshy soil, where water is found but a few 
feet from the surface. In fact, the city is lower 
than the Mississippi river at high water, and is 
only prevented from being overflowed by the 
levee. For the same reason the dead are buried 
in vaults, built above the ground. The principal 
cemetery is on the Shell Road, half-way between 
the city and Lake Ponchartrain. The Lake is a 
great public resort, for boating and fishing. 

The old battle-field, below the city, received its 
full share of visitors. Here Gen. Jackson, on the 
8th of January, 1812, with 4,000 raw recruits, de- 
feated 12,000 British veterans, with a loss of only 
five men, while the British lost seven hundred. 
The most curious feature was, that it was fought 



I04 HISTORY OF THE 

after peace had been declared, but the combat- 
ants had not received the news. This was before 
railroads, steamers or the telegraph. 

Gen. Grant having arrived, a "grand review" 
was ordered to take place on the 4th of Septem- 
ber. The following is an editorial, taken from the 
New Orleans Era, giving an account of the re- 
view, in which the 48th Ohio took part : 

[New Orleans Era, Saturday, Sept. 5, 1863.] 
"the review yesterday. 
"According to announcement in the city pa- 
pers, the troops under command of Maj. Gen. 
Washburn, now stationed at ' Champ de Mars,' 
near CarroUton, were reviewed by Gens. Banks and 
Grant, at an early hour yesterday morning. The 
review was a most imposing sight, and one to be 
long remembered. The men under review were 
war-scarred veterans, who left the pleasant scenes 
of their homes in every part of the Union, to 
' hew their way to the Gulf with their swords.' 
Every division, brigade and regiment, as it filed 
past the two Generals, surrounded by their staffs, 
showed the results of careful and skillful training, 
while the animation that gleamed from the 
bronzed faces of these veterans, gave evidence 
that they were conscious of the distinguished 
presence in which they were marching. In the 
array of officers and men who met together on 
the * Champ de Mars,' the citizens of New Or- 
leans could behold a portion of the deliverers of 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. 1. I05 

the Mississippi river. The opening of the great 
inland sea required great men and stout soldiers ; 
and to the credit of our country let it be said, the 
right men were found for the work. * * * 

"The review was what might be reasonably ex- 
pected from the tried troops, in the presence of 
the two distinguished Generals. The division, 
brigade and regimental officers handled their 
men with more precision than might have been 
witnessed on the same field two years ago, when 
an attempt was made by one or two Louisiana 
militia Generals to review raw recruits, who had 
never seen even a skirmish, and many of whom 
are still innocent of the blood of the soldiers of 
the army of the United States. 

"The heat of the day was so intense, that many 
of the old citizens of New Orleans were glad to 
retire to some friendly shade ; and yet the troops 
showed no signs of distress, nor even inconven- 
ience. Such is the result of being inured to expos- 
ure. The men, coming from a northern climate, 
endure a heat which even an acclimated person 
avoids. A heartier or more robust set of men 
probably never passed in review under the critical 
eyes of Generals, who have performed great deeds, 
and who have more yet to do. 

"It was apparent to the most superficial ob- 
server, that the parade was no training-day dis- 
play. The two Generals, their respective staffs, the 
general field and regimental officers, and the men 
themselves, had the bearing of the true soldier, 



Io6 HISTORY OF THE 

and the tout ensemble was suggestive of genius, dis- 
cipline and backbone. * * * They have dem- 
onstrated that there is no such word as fail for 
those who are determined to succeed. It was a 
proud privilege to stand on that animated field 
yesterday, and say, ' These are American Generals 
and American troops, whose deeds are about to 
be enrolled on the scroll of immortal fame, and 
America is my country.' The traitor to our 
flag even, must have rejoiced that his pseudo- 
'friends had been overcome by men who have shown 
such bravery in arms, and such mercy and moder- 
ation in victory." 

Sept. 2oth, Capt. Tice having resigned, Capt. 
Bering resumed command of the Regiment. 
With Capt. Tice we sent our old, tattered battle- 
flag to Columbus, Ohio, to be placed in the flag- 
room at the State House. After he arrived in 
Cincinnati he put it on exhibition in Wiswell's 
show-window on Fourth street, but it has never 
been seen or heard of since. 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. I07 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Ordered to Western Louisiana — Berwick City — Teche 
Country — Franklin — Orange Groves — Election for 
Governor of Ohio — Guarding Steamers on the Teche — 
Surprise of the First Brigade — New Iberia — Foraging 
— Protection Papers. 

^UR pleasant times were fast drawing to a close. 
Oct. ist, we received two months' pay and 
were ordered on a campaign in Western Louisiana. 
On the 3d we embarked on the steamer "North 
America" and landed at Algiers, opposite New 
Orleans, where we took a night-train for Brashear 
City, a distance of eighty miles, at which place 
we arrived the following morning. We crossed 
the bay on a ferry boat and camped at Berwick 
City. On the 7th, the brigade advanced up 
through the Teche country, passing through 
Franklin, and camped near New Iberia, on the 
9th, when our Regiment, with the 19th Ky., 77th 
Ills, and Chicago Mercantile Battery, were or- 
dered back to Franklin, to garrison the place. 
We arrived there the nth, and camped in the sub- 
urbs, Col. Landrum, with his staff, being camped 
near by, on the banks of the Teche. Co. A, in 
command of Capt. Cyrus Hussey, were detailed as 
provost-guards, and were quartered in the town. 



I08 HISTORY OF THE 

We were now stationed in the garden-spot of 
Louisiana, and Franklin was one of its prettiest 
towns. Of this region, Longfellow, in his poem, 
" Evangeline," says : 

" On the batiks of the Teche are the towns of St. Mauer and St. 
Martin. 

There the long-wandering bride shall be given to the bride- 
groom, 

There the long-absent pastor regain his flock and his sheep- 
fold. 

Beautiful is the land, with its prairies and forests of fruit trees. 

Under the feet a garden of flowers, and the bluest of heavens 

Bending above, and resting its dome on the walls of the forest. 

They who dwell there have named it the Eden of Louisiana. 

All the year round the orange-groves are in blossom ; and grass 

grows 
More in a single night than in a whole Canadian summer." 

It was early fall, and the weather delightful. 
No one who ever saw such an autumn could ever 
forget it. The dreamy atmosphere, drooping in 
the mellow haze of the mild Indian summer, al- 
most made this lovely region a fairy land. The 
white cabins of the slaves were in long rows, like 
villages. Near by stood the elegant mansions of 
the wealthy planters, with broad verandas encir- 
cling the entire building. The orange groves, 
with their tropical fruit, were in the height of their 
perfection, of which a prominent writer gives the 
following description: "It is a beautiful sight to 
wander through these natural groves, watching the 
beautiful globes of gold peeping on all sides from 
the bright green foliage, bending low the branches 
with their weight, and exhaling a fragrance at once 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. IO9 

delicious and powerful. The fruit clings with a 
great deal of tenacity for a long time after it has 
ripened ; but during the winter and early spring 
it mostly falls, though the new blossoms, with their 
charming fragrance and pure whiteness, and young 
oranges, may be seen while the fruit still remains.'* 

But the marching and counter-marching of the 
contending armies were leaving their marks be- 
hind. The old plantations, with their stately man- 
sions, were going to decay ; fences, gates and or- 
naments of all kinds were fast disappearing ; but 
such is war. 

Oct. 13th, the election for Governor of Ohio 
took place in the Regiment. Gov. Brough 
received 241 votes, and Vallandigham 28. Those 
that were absent on picket and fatigue duty did 
not get to vote. 

While stationed at Franklin very strict disci- 
pline was enforced, and no foraging whatever was 
allowed, but nevertheless some members of the 
Regiment would venture beyond the picket-lines 
and gather up what poultry and other provisions 
they could find, and bring them into camp before 
daylight. 

Our principal duty while stationed here, was to 
furnish guards for the steamboats that took the 
supplies up Bayou Teche to the army, encamped 
at New Iberia. The dufy was of a very pleasant 
nature, more especially as the enemy did not 
molest us. 

Oct. 23d, Lieut. Col. Lindsey arrived and took 



no HISTORY OF THE 

command of the Regiment. The first brigade of 
our Division, while encamped in advance of the 
main army at New Iberia, was surprised Nov. 3d 
by the enemy, just as the paymaster was paying 
the troops. Nearly half of the brigade was cap- 
tured. The paymaster, with his funds, barely es- 
caped by timely flight in an ambulance, driven by 
Jonathan Pratt, of the Pioneer Corps. 

On account of this surprise, the false alarms 
were numerous, which compelled us to be in line 
of battle at 4 o'clock every morning. 

Nov. I ith, we were ordered to New Iberia, where 
we arrived the following day, and camped inside 
of the fortifications. Although the movements of 
the army were very mysterious, and no one could 
tell where he would be the next day, yet as soon 
as the arms were stacked, the Regiment went to 
work building quarters, as if they were going to re- 
main there permanently. Cabins were erected out 
of old boards gathered up, fire-places built, bunks 
and bedsteads constructed, streets were laid out in 
regular order, which was repeated at every camp, 
excepting when on the march. When the cabins 
were completed, the next thing in order was to 
explore every wood, field and ravine, and in a 
single day the soldiers familiarized themselves 
with the surrounding country. 

Nov. 25th, Capt. Bering, in command of 50 men 
of the Regiment, took charge of 240 teams, and 
proceeded 8 miles southwest of New Iberia, to 
procure forage for the army. The prairie was 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. Ill 

dotted with rich plantations, and corn and fodder 
was found in abundance. After the pickets were 
posted, to guard against a surprise, the teams were 
loaded ; after which they returned to camp, ar- 
riving there late that evening. The planters tried 
in every possible way to get exempted from fur- 
nishing supplies to our army. They would exhib- 
it what they termed "Protection Papers," claiming 
to be foreigners. Among the killed at the battle 
of Grand Coteau, a short time previous, a number 
were found with these papers in their pockets, 
which gave rise to the song, founded on that bat- 
tle, commencing : 

" 'Twas on the morn of November third, 
The rebels thought they'd cage the bird, 

With 'Protection Papers' in their pocket, 
They pounced upon us like a rocket." 

And the general verdict was then, that "Protec- 
tion Papers " had " played out," for they were gen- 
erally obtained for the purpose of taking advan- 
tage of our army. 

Dec. 6th, Lieut. Col. Lindsey and ten sergeants 
started for Ohio, to obtain recruits, which left the 
Regiment again in command of Capt. Bering. 



112 HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER XIV. 

Ordered to New Orleans — Embarking for Texas — Trip 
Across the Gulf — De Crow's Point — Dog-Tents — Dis- 
tributing the Anonesty Proclamation — Planting the 
Flag in Texas — Skirmish Drill — Fishing and Gather- 
ing Shells — Short Rations — Cold New Year — Veterans 
— Ordered on Board a Condemned Vessel — Return to 
New Orleans — Re-enlisting — Veteran Medals — Pro- 
motions. 

^|ECEMBER 7th, we received orders to pro- 
iRi ceed to New Orleans. We left that day and 
arrived at Berwick the loth, crossed the Bay at 2 
A. M. the next day, and reached Algiers by rail at 
noon. Here we learned that our Division was on 
its way to Texas by way of the Gulf. 

On the 13th, the 48th, with the 130th Illinois, 
embarked on the steamer "Continental" for Mata- 
gorda Bay, Texas. The passage down the river 
from New Orleans to the Gulf was delightful. On 
either side could be seen broad plantations, with 
their elegant residences, surrounded by orange 
groves, the homes of the wealthy planters. The 
weather was delightful. The sun was shining from 
a clear sky, and the only breeze was a gentle 
wind from the Gulf, which made the voyage a very 
pleasant one until we reached the Gulf at 5 P. M. 

Both Regiments were on deck, enjoying a ride 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 1 13 

on the " ocean wave," when suddenly the bottom 
seemed to have dropped out of the Gulf. The 
waves ran high, and in less than an hour the ma- 
jority of the men had gone below, feeling very un- 
well! During the night, the groans of the sea-sick 
could be heard, interspersed with a comic speech 
or song, from those whom the voyage had not af- 
fected. The next day it turned cold, and we en 
countered quite a storm. By this time the band 
of singers had decreased very rapidly and sea-sick- 
ness had increased correspondingly. 

On the 15th, after a stormy passage, the ship 
was nearly blown on shore off Matagorda Bay. 
The ship cast anchor, which broke during the 
night, and we were at the mercy of the waves, un- 
til the ship was again anchored. 

Our vessel being too large to cross the bar at 
the mouth of the bay, we were compelled to wait 
for a calm in order to reship on a smaller vessel, 
which did not occur until the evening of the 17th, 
when we were transferred to the steamer St. Mary's. 
Crossing the bar the next morning, we disem- 
barked on De Crow's Point, Texas, which is the 
headland of the peninsula, situated between Mata- 
gorda Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. * It is fromja 
fourth of a mile to a mile in width, and about 
fifty miles long. Being elevated only a few feet 
above the level of the Gulf, it is completely sub- 
merged during high water, which frequently oc- 
curs during a severe storm. A few years after the 
war, during one of these storms, the Peninsula 



114 HISTORY OF THE 

was thus submerged and all on it perished in the 
Gulf. 

The peninsula is almost a barren sand-bar, but 
little vegetation of any kind, except wild grass, 
rushes and a few cactus, which grow to a very 
large size. Along the beach next to the Gulf, large 
hills or reefs of sand are formed by the wind and 
tide. Although we were almost surrounded by 
salt-water, we obtained excellent fresh drinking 
water by digging holes two or three feet deep in 
the sand. 

Shortly after landing, we had our first trial of 
our new shelter-tents, consisting of a small strip of 
canvas, about four feet wide and seven long, better 
known as dog-tents. They were scarcely large 
enough for one person. They took the place of 
the Sibley and Bell tents, which were turned over 
to the Quartermaster. 

President Lincoln issued a proclamation on the 
8th of December, 1863, in which he offered to the 
Southern people one more opportunity to lay 
down their arms. In the proclamation, amnesty 
and restoration of their property (excepting slaves) 
were offered to all persons, excepting officers above 
the rank of Colonel, all civil officers of the Con- 
federate States, and officers of the United States 
at the beginning of the war, who had entered the 
Confederate service. Raids were made in Janu- 
ary, 1864, by the troops on the coast of Texas, in 
which this proclamation was scattered along the 
route, but if any Texans accepted the amnesty in 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 1 15 

that part of the State, we never heard of it. 

In August, 1863, Gen. -"Banks received instruc- 
tions from Washington to plant the flag at some 
point in Texas without delay, in order to prevent 
foreign complications. A naval expedition was 
sent to Sabine Pass, in September, with part of 
the 19th Corps, under Gen. Franklin, but the 
navy failed to reduce the fort, and lost several 
vessels in the attempt. Gen. Banks then at- 
tempted to reach Texas by land, by way of New 
Iberia and Opelousas. (Our Division took part in 
the campaign, but did not get farther than New 
Iberia.) But he found the bayous lower than 
they had been for fifty years, and the country 
nearly destitute of supplies. The expedition was 
abandoned, and a descent was made under Gen. 
Banks, in person, on the coast of Texas, at Mata- 
gorda Bay, and at the mouth of the Rio Grande. 
Our Division was then sent to DeCrow's Point, 
Texas. This will explain the complicated move- 
ments of the army during the fall and winter of 
1S64, in the Department of the Gulf 

The army mule, that had stood by us in all the 
vicissitudes of the war, and who was always 
cheerful, even amid disaster and defeat, whether 
on half-rations or no rations at all, was, when 
landed at DeCrow's Point, after his ocean voyage, 
a most distressed and pitiful-looking object. He 
was completely subjugated, but in a few days he 
had rallied, and his familiar voice was again heard 
as loud as ever. The voyage seemed to have 



Il6 HISTORY OF THE 

given him a renewed appetite for the wood-work 
of the old army wagon. 

When we first arrived, our duties were compara- 
tively light; our time was chiefly spent in skirmish- 
drill by bugle signals, gathering shells, bathing and 
fishing, with seines borrowed from the navy. In 
addition to the excellent fish caught, it was rare 
sport for the Regiment to haul out the mysterious- 
looking animals from the briny deep. From some 
unexplained cause, after our arrival we ran out 
of rations, but fortunately the peninsula was well 
stocked with sheep, which we butchered, and lived 
for eight or ten days almost entirely on mutton. 

During cold or rainy weather, and on occasions 
of extra fatigue, or guard duty, the soldiers were 
generally supplied by the commissary depart- 
ment with regular rations (one gill) of whisky, but 
by some oversight, or "forethought," more whis- 
ky had reached us than hard-tack, which was the 
only time during our service, in which the Quar- 
termaster drew more whisky than crackers ; but, 
thanks to "kind-hearted " army contractors, it was 
diluted to such an extent that it was entirely 
harmless as a beverage. 

January ist, 1864, was the coldest day since 
leaving Arkansas Post, the ice freezing one inch 
thick in our tents, and covering the beach with the 
frozen spray. A soldier was brought in from the 
picket-line in an unconscious condition, from the 
effects of the Norther. During the day, the Regi- 
ment unloaded a schooner at the landing, and suf- 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. II 7 

fered severely from the terrific gale, that swept 
over the bay and dashed the waves at times over 
the vessel. In the North this day was known as 
"the cold New Year." 

In the latter part of the month, Adjutant R. A. 
South resigned, and Lieut. Montgomery was de- 
tailed to take his place. The Government had of- 
fered a bounty of ;^4oo to all who had served over 
two years, if they would enlist for another term of 
three years, and in addition they were to receive 
a furlough for thirty days, and the Regiment be 
entitled to the name of "Veterans." In the latter 
part of January an effort was made to re-enlist the 
Regiment, and it would have been successful had 
the Commanding General consented to give us 
our thirty days furlough immediately ; but this he 
refused to do. Nevertheless, quite a number re- 
enlisted. 

Lieut. Col. Parker obtained a leave of absence 
during the siege of Vicksburg, which was construed 
by Gen. Grant, in an order to Col. Sullivan, as his 
resignation. This order was forwarded to Colum- 
bus, Ohio. Capt. J. W. Lindsey, who was at home 
on furlough at the time, was promoted to the va- 
cancy. In the meantime, Col. Parker obtained 
from Gen. Grant a revocation of the order accept- 
ing his resignation, stating that it was issued by 
mistake. He rejoined the Regiment at De Crow's 
Point, and was placed in command of the brigade. 
Shortly afterwards, he received his dismissal from 
the service on a charge of absence without leave. 



Il8 HISTORY OF THE 

He obtained a recommendation from the Regi- 
ment to be reinstated, and proceeded to Washing- 
ton, D. C, where he had the order of his dismissal 
revoked, and obtained a special order to be mus- 
tered as Colonel of the Regiment. He rejoined 
the army after the battle of Sabine Cross-Roads. 

February ist, orders were issued for brigade- 
drill at 2 o'clock P. M, every day, and "grand re- 
view" twice a week. Military maneuvers in that 
deep, fine sand, were very fatiguing, and were not 
relished by the troops. To add still more to the 
discomfort, an order came to our Regiment, that 
had always worn caps, to dispense with them,^and 
appear on drill and "grand review" with the tall 
regulation hats. The men growled, and General 
"Red Tape" came in for a good share of abuse. 

Feb. 22d, we were ordered on board the steam- 
er "Albany," a small vessel that was built for the 
New Jersey coast-trade, but before embarking we 
were informed that she was unseaworthy and would 
probably founder in the first gale. After this be- 
came known, the Regiment refused to embark. 
When Gen. Ransom, who commanded the detach- 
ment of the 13th Army Corps, heard of our refusal, 
he sent for the commander of the Regiment and 
demanded the author of the report. Upon being 
informed that Maj. M. C. Garber, A. Q. M., was 
responsible for the report, he sent for that officer 
and gave him a severe reprimand, and ordered 
Capt. Bering to take the Regiment on board with- 
out delay. There being no remedy but disobe- 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 



119 



dience of orders, we embarked that evening. Our 
fears were well grounded, for since the war the 
writer met Maj. Garber, and referring to that re- 
port, he remarked that it was his duty to examine 
each vessel. When he inspected the "Albany" he 
condemned her as being unsafe for the transporta- 
tion of troops, and had we encountered a storm 
the vessel would never have reached port. 

On our trip to De Crow's Point, in December, 
the weather was cold and stormy, and sea-sickness 
so universal that we did not enjoy the voyage to 
a very great extent, but on our return trip the 
weather was mild and warm. The sun rose jind 
set during the entire voyage in a cloudless sky, 
and the beauty of a "sunset at sea" was very much 
enjoyed by the Regiment, who lay all day on the 
deck, enjoying the balmy atmosphere of the Gulf. 
The endless variety of the finny tribe, sparkling 
in the waves and following in the wake of the ship, 
was a never-ceasing object of interest. Two 
species of sea-birds, the stormy petrel, which runs 
along the surface of the waves with great rapidity, 
and the sea-gull, a large, white bird, hovered 
around our vessel until we arrived in sight of land. 

Early on the morning of the 24th, we crossed 
the bar and entered the Mississippi river, arriving 
at New Orleans that night, and disembarked the 
next morning at Algiers. On arrival, we had an 
opportunity to cross over the river to New Or- 
leans, to lay in such supplies as we were in need 
of. The unusual military preparations then going 



ISO HISTORY OF THE 

on in that city, foreshadowed what soon followed 
— the Red River expedition. The colored brigade, 
composed of former slaves, made quite a formid- 
able appearance in drill, as well as discipline, as 
they marched through the streets to the landing to 
join the expedition, and was in great contrast to 
the signs of "Slave Depot — Slaves Bought and 
Sold," that were still to be seen on the buildings 
where the daily auctions of the chattels were 
formerly held. We took the afternoon train the 
same day for Brashear City, where we arrived in 
the evening. 

The plantations along the line of the rail- 
road were far advanced in their spring work, 
and some of the crops were already well under 
cultivation. 

The next morning, the 26th, we crossed the bay, 
which is three miles wide at that place, and 
camped on the west shore at Berwick City, which 
was rather a high-sounding title for a few empty 
houses and an old cotton shed. Nature had 
placed natural barriers against Berwick becoming 
a city more than in name. To the south were the 
Gulf marshes, and on the west an impenetrable, 
gloomy cypress swamp, into which the sun never 
penetrated, intersected by sluggish bayous and 
mud sloughs. It was the paradise of alligators 
and venomous reptiles, that grow to enormous 
size in that pestilence-breeding atmosphere. 

Lieut. Col. Lindsey, and the ten sergeants who 
left for Ohio in December, rejoined the Regiment 



FORTY-ElGHTtt O. V. V. 1. 121 

at Algiers, on its return from Texas. The Colonel 
brought the following commissions from Gov. 
Brough, for members of the Regiment : Capt. John 
A. Bering, promoted to Major ; Lieutenants J. R. 
Lynch, Geo. W. Mosgrove, C. P. Bratt, A. M. 
Cochran, Thomas Montgomery and R. A. South, 
promoted to Captains, (the latter had resigned) ; 
and W. J. Srofe, H. W. Day, J. K. Reed, J. M. 
Kendall, Joseph Stretch and C. Burkhart, promot* 
ed to First Lieutenants. 

Col. Lindsey found it very diiBcult to obtain re- 
cruits for our Regiment while at home, for several 
reasons. One was that before he reached Ohio, 
the Regiment had been sent to Texas, which 
would require a journey of over two thousand 
miles* to reach us; another was the hot, sickly 
climate and dread of the yellow fever. While 
other regiments, stationed in Tennessee and Vir- 
ginia, were in a healthier climate and not so far 
away, therefore the new levies wisely — and for 
which they were not to blame— selected regiments 
stationed nearer home. 

The time to re-enlist as veterans would expire 
with the last of the month, but the Regiment still 
refused to re-enlist in a body, unless they could 
get the thirty days furlough immediately after re- 
enlisting. Our Commanding General refused to 
comply with this request, until nearly the last mo- 
ment, when Gen. McClernand, who had again as- 

•From Cincinnati to New Orleans by steamboat l,5o0 milesi 
Pfom New Orleans to DeCrow'B Point by ocean steamer 560 miles. 



122 HISTORY OF THE 

sumed command of the Thirteenth Army Corps, 
with headquarters at New Orleans, gave the de- 
sired promise to Lieut. Col. Lindsey. In a few 
days nearly the whole Regiment re-enlisted, and 
were sworn in for another term of three years on 
the 29th of February, 1864. 

March ist, Lieut. C. Burkhart was appointed 
Adjutant, and Sergt. W. A. Pratt promoted to 
Sergeant-Major. On the 3d, Capt. Cyrus Hussey, 
of Company A, in charge of ten sergeants, left for 
Columbus, Ohio, to obtain recruits for the Regi- 
ment from the drafted men. The Captain and 
one of the Sergeants, Harvey Cashatt, soon after 
their arrival at Columbus, were detailed in the 
Provost Marshal's office, where they remained un- 
til mustered out of the Regiment. 

The following is an extract from the report of 
the Adjutant General of Ohio, (Gen. Cowan) for 
1864: 

"General Orders Nos. 191 and 305, series of 
1863, from the War Department, provided for the 
re-enlistment of soldiers then in the service, hav- 
ing less than one year to serve ; such re-enlisted 
men to be known as 'Veteran Volunteers.' The 
offer of large bounties and a furlough of thirty 
days may have facilitated these enlistments ; but 
the stern determination on the part of the brave 
men who had been for more than two years bat- 
tling for the cause of their country, not to lay 
down their arms until the enemy was subjugated, 
was the greatest incentive to re-enlist. They had 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 1 23 

undertaken the task of conquering the rebellion, 
and were unwilling to lay down their arms while 
an armed enemy was in their front. Large boun- 
ties are no compensation for the untold hardships, 
privations and dangers of a soldier's life, and no 
considerations of personal aggrandizement could 
have induced the noble sacrifices they made ; 
nothing but the highest feeling of patriotism could 
have sustained them. 

"While the non-veterans of our three years 
regiments have done their duty to their country, 
and retire from the service with the imperishable 
laurels of true and faithful soldiers, the veterans 
are entitled to a larger measure of praise, for hav- 
ing done more than they were expected to do, 
and having manifested in so practical a manner, 
their unwavering confidence in the final success of 
the Federal arms. All honor and praise, then, to 
this noble band, that is standing in the front as a 
cordon of triple steel, and closing steadily around 
the gigantic enemy of the Nation's life. More 
than twenty thousand of the soldiers of the State 
of Ohio re-enlisted as veterans, and are to-day 
fighting the battles of the Republic, or sleep in 
honored graves on the bloody field where they 
fell." 

In 1866, all veterans in Ohio regiments receiv- 
ed a medal, accompanied by the following order : 



124 HISTORY OF THE 

"State of Ohio, 
"x\djutant General's Office, 
"Columbus, Tune tst, 1866. 

" Sir j — This medal is presented to you in ac- 
cordance with the following Joint Resolution of 
the General Assembly of Ohio, as a slight testi- 
monial of the high appreciation by the State, of 
your devoted patriotism, in entering upon a second 
term of enlistment, without any hope or expecta- 
tion of large bounties, and actuated only by the 
purest love of country. 

" None are entitled to this medal excepting those 
who, being already in service in Ohio Regiments, 
re-enlisted for an additional term of three years. 

''Resolved^ by the General Assembly of the State of 
Ohio, That the Governor procure, or cause to be 
procured, for each veteran volunteer who re-en 
listed from this State under General Orders No. 
191, of 1863, a bronze medal, one and one half 
inches in diameter, containing upon one side in 
bold relief, the following or some similar design, 
to-wit: Ohio personified, crowning one of her 
soldiers with laurel. Emblems — wheat sheaf; 
eagle perched on shield, bearing State arms. In 
the background, a steamer and tented field; spring- 
ing from the wand which supports the liberty cap, 
a buckeye leaf. Clasp — -a plain bar, on which 
shall be raised the buckeye and laurel ; the swiv- 
el of the clasp in form of a monogram U. S. Upon 
the reverse side to be engraved the name of the 
recipient, with his regiment, battalion or battery, 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 125 

surrounded with a laurel wreath. The medal to 
be suspended by a piece of tri-colored silk rib- 
bon, and in its artistic features to be equal to the 
'Crimean medal.' 

"Very Respectfully, 

"B. R. COWAN." 



126 HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER XV. 

Ordered to Franklin— Guarding Pontoon Train — Alexan- 
dria — Natchitoches — Capture of Pavy and McCune — 
Guarding the Wagon Train — Battle of Sabine Cross 
Roads — Out of Ammunition — Enemy in the Rear— Re- 
treat Cut Off— Capture— On Our Way to Prison — Ex- 
tracts from Gen. Ransom's Official Report — Number 
Captured — Extracts from Report of Committee on Con- 
duct of the War — The Rebel General Taylor's Report 
of the Battle — First Night as Prisoners — Confederate 
Rations — School House— Marshall — Flag Song. 

jS soon as the Regiment had been sworn in as 
veterans, letters were immediately dispatched 
home, to prepare for our reception on the prom- 
ised furlough. But we were badly disappointed. 
Instead of receiving our furlough, we were ordered 
to Franklin, where the troops of the Gulf Depart- 
ment were concentrating for an expedition up 
Red river, at which point we arrived on the 8th. 

Here the troops were organized for the cam- 
paign. The second brigade was composed of the 
19th Ky., 96th, 83d and 48th Ohio, commanded 
by Col. Vance, of the 196th Ohio. Our Division 
was composed of two brigades, (1st and 2d) and 
under command of Col. W. J. Landrum. 

March loth, in accordance with orders issued 
by Gen. McClernand, the following battles were 
ordered to be inscribed on the colors of the 48th 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I, I27 

Ohio Vet. Vol. Inf. : "Battle of Shiloh, Siege of 
Corinth, Chickasaw Bluffs, Arkansas Post, Port 
Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, 
Siege of Vicksburg and Jackson." 

We remained at Franklin until the 14th, when 
the Regiment took charge of the pontoon train 
and left for Alexandria, distant 170 miles, via 
Opelousas and Washington. We had a very 
pleasant trip, making the journey by easy marches, 
through the richest sugar and cotton plantations 
of Louisiana. As we were independent of any 
command, it is needless to add that the bill of fare 
each day contained delicacies that were not re- 
ceived through the commissary department. 

After fourteen days' marching, v/e reached 
Alexandria on the 27th. The same evening, Col. 
Lindsey and Maj. Bering called on Gen. Franklin, 
to request him to fulfill the promise to furlough 
the veterans. He gave a short answer, to the ef- 
fect that he could not spare a single man at that 
time, to say nothing of a whole veteran regiment 
like ours. This was poor comfort for the Regi- 
ment, and it is unnecessary to add that many used 
language that is called profane. Others again 
were like the Quaker — feared they "could not do 
the subject justice." Quite a number were still 
hopeful, and thought that as the promise was made 
in good faith, the furlough might arrive at any mo- 
ment. But all were doomed to disappointment, for 
late that night, orders were received to be ready to 
march toward Shreveport the next morning. 



128 HISTORY OF THE 

During the night it rained incessantly, and to- 
ward morning it came down in torrents. At day- 
break our Regiment was ordered to fall in imme- 
diately, and take the advance of the army, instead 
of a furlough home. This news was not very well 
received, for the main army had been in camp two 
days, resting, while our Regiment had only arriv- 
ed the previous day. But swearing was no help 
for us, so we loaded up in the rain, many without 
breakfast, and with much grumbling by everybody, 
we took the advance. 

Occasionally, on the march, some wag would 
call out, "Here's your veterans, going to Shreve- 
port, on a thirty days' furlough !" A long fur- 
lough it proved, most assuredly, to the most of us. 
After marching a few days, the disappointment 
wore off, and we became somewhat reconciled. 
On the 2d of April, we arrived at Natchitoches, 
La., 127 miles above Alexandria. During our 
stay here, one of the soldiers of the 24th Iowa 
was killed in sight of camp by the rebels. He, 
with two of our Regiment, Pavy and McCune, of 
Company D, were just outside the lines, foraging, 
when they were surprised in a barn by two armed 
rebels and captured. Being unarmed, they made 
no resistance. After tying them loosely together, 
they were marched back some distance and seated 
on a log, when the rebels decided to shoot them, 
and began tying them more securely. The Iowa 
soldier, who was in the middle, attempted to re- 
lease himself; whereupon one of their captors 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 1 29 

fired, killing him instantly. At this Pavy broke 
loose and ran for camp, with one of his captors 
after him, while McCune was knocked down with 
a musket by the other, who then turned and watch- 
ed the race. McCune, in the meantime, recover- 
ing, untied himself from his dead comrade, and 
made good his escape, as did also Pavy, who came 
into camp almost exhausted. A force of cavalry 
was sent out and the body of the dead soldier was 
brought in, and the house and barn burnt. The 
two rebels were afterward captured, but claimed 
they were Confederate soldiers, at home on a fur- 
lough. The rebels threatened retaliation if they 
were executed, so they were afterwards exchanged. 

From the day we started on the Red River ex- 
pedition, we were like the Israelites of old, ac- 
companied by a cloud (of smoke) by day, and a 
pillar of fire by night. The rebels had a company 
of cavalry setting fire to all the cotton along our 
route. From the cotton the flames would spread 
to the cotton-sheds and out-houses, and frequently 
reached the dwellings of the planters and cabins of 
the slaves. This was one of the curious phases of 
the war —to see the rebels bent on the destruction 
of their own property. 

We left Natchitoches April 6th, for Shreveport, 
La., by way of Pleasant Hill and Mansfield. We 
guarded the train on the 7th, and did not get into 
camp until the drums were beating the last tattoo. 
The Regiment stacked arms, and while peparing 
our late supper, we sat aronnd the cheerful camp 



130 HISTORY OF THE 

fires, discussing the campaign, which as usual drift- 
ed into reminiscences of the peaceful days be- 
fore the war, and ended with the query, when 
shall we get our long promised furlough ? 
little dreaming what was in store for us on the 
coming morrow. We started next morning, April 
8th, with the brigade, at 5^ o'clock. The 
enemy, who had been easily driven the day be- 
fore by the cavalry, became quite stubborn, and it 
at times required the aid of the infantry to dis- 
lodge them. We marched until half past ten, 
when we arrived at St. Patrick's Bayou, which 
Gen. Franklin selected as our camping-ground. 

We had scarcely stacked arms, when Gen. Ran- 
som ordered one brigade forward on double-quick. 
We found great difficulty in passing the cavalry 
train, which obstructed the entire road through 
the dense pine forest. At intervals we could hear 
the heavy firing in our front, indicating that there 
was work ahead for us. Soon we began to see 
the wounded and dead, along the road, which 
showed clearly that the rebels were fighting at 
every point. We had nearly reached the Sabine 
Cross-Roads, when Col. Lindsey ordered Maj. 
Bering to take command of the Regiment, he be- 
ing ordered to take command of the brigade by 
Col. Vance, who was sick. The Colonel did not 
leave the field, but partially recovering, he re- 
mained during the battle. He retained Lieut. 
Col. Lindsey to assist him, and was killed during 
the engagement. 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. I31 

We arrived at the front between one and two 
o'clock P. M. In our front was a cleared field, 
and on the opposite side was a belt of timber, 
where our cavalry was skirmishing with the enemy. 
Col. Landrum ordered our brigade across to the 
right of the road, on double-quick, to take posi- 
tion in the edge of the woods. We charged across 
the open field and over a small stream, then up to 
the timber. Here the men threw off their knap- 
sacks, advanced a short distance and halted. 

We remained in line of battle until near 4 
o'clock, when the cavalry pickets came back on a 
gallop through our lines, saying the enemy was 
advancing in strong force. We occupied a nar- 
row strip of timber, and the rebels an open field 
beyond. Midway between the two armies was a 
rail fence, running parallel with our line of battle, 
at the further edge of the timber. We were or- 
dered forward, and had proceeded but a short dis- 
tance, when we discovered the long line of rebel 
infantry, coming on double-quick, to gain the 
fence. It now became an exciting race, but for- 
tunately we reached the fence while the enemy 
was still about fifty yards distant. Our men, drop- 
ping on their knees, rested their rifles on the 
fence and delivered a volley with terrible effect. 
The enemy delivered their fire entirely too high, 
but stood their ground for half an hour, when the 
whole line wavered in our front and retreated in 
disorder, leaving the ground covered with killed 
and wounded. Cheer after cheer went up from 



132 HISTORY OF THE 

our troops when they saw the rebels flying from 
the field. 

In a short time, however, they reformed, and 
came up in two lines, and renewed the attack, but 
were repulsed as before. Their field-officers be- 
ing mounted, were picked off as fast as they came 
in range. The Division held its position for near- 
ly two hours, against the combined forces of the 
rebel Generals, Dick Taylor, Walker and Mouton, 
when suddenly the right of the Regiment was 
forced back from the fence, caused by an enfilad- 
ing fire from the enemy. The 19th Kentucky, who 
occupied the position on our right, had received 
orders from Col. Landrum to retreat, but waiting 
for our Regiment, which for some cause had not 
received the order, they changed front to our 
rear, and remained with us- 

The brigade was now ordered by its command- 
er, (Lieut.-Col. Lindsey) to fall back gradually. 
We left the fence and retreated about fifty yards, 
where^we attempted to make another stand under 
a heavy fire, but we were entirely out of ammuni- 
tion and our supply cut off, which made our con- 
dition very critical. They soon closed in and de- 
manded our surrender. With no other alterna- 
tive, the Regiment reluctantly threw down their 
arms and empty cartridge-boxes, and were hurried 
to the rear, while our batteries from the third Di- 
vision, which had just arrived, began throwing 
shell and solid shot into our midst. We passed 
over the battle-field, that was strewn with rebel 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 1 33 

dead and wounded, and met line after line of 
rebel infantry and artillery, who were hurrying 
forward toward the scene of action. We began 
to think their numbers had been under-estimated, 
and were fearful of the consequences, but they 
were groundless, for on the following day (the 9th) 
the rebel army was defeated by our forces at 
Pleasant Hill. 

During the engagement several details were sent 
to the rear to bring up a supply of ammunition, 
but they were cut off, captured or killed. Among 
the latter was Adjutant C. Burkhart. The follow- 
ing is a list of the killed and wounded, as near as 
we could ascertain : 

Lieut. Col. Lindsey, wounded in arm ; Adju- 
tant C. Burkhart, killed ; Capt. G. W. Mosgrove, 
of Co. D, wounded in thigh, and the only officer 
that escaped capture ; Capt. A. M. Cochran, of 
Co. E, wounded in foot ; Co. B, Amos Fuller and 
Wm. Fuller, wounded ; Co. C, Samuel Hair, mor- 
tally wounded through the breast ; he was taken 
prisoner and died a few days after ; Morgan Ted- 
rick, wounded slightly ; Co. E, Carl Huff, wound- 
ed ; Co. G, Wm. Barron, killed, G. Bohan, 
wounded; Co. H, Wm. Cast, killed, Jos. Quinn, 
Wm. Riley, Jos. Dorly,Pat. Conner, Wm. Bamgrove 
and Charles Keener, wounded ; and the follow- 
ing officers captured : Lieut.-Col. J. W. Lindsey, 
Maj. J. A. Bering, Captains James Sowry, A. M. 
Cochran, Daniel GunsauUus and Thomas Mont- 
gomery, Lieutenants W. J. Srofe, H. W.^Day and 



134 HISTORY OF THE 

M. McCaffrey. Total 9, and 168 enlisted men. 
Col. Lindsey was sent to the hospital, and at the 
close of the campaign was exchanged, with the 
rest of the wounded that fell into the hands of 
the enemy during the Red River expedition. 

The Regiment fought with the skill and bravery 
of veterans, showing that they had been well 
drilled in the art of fighting, and had profited by 
the experience gained on former battle-fields, as 
was proved by the large number of killed and 
wounded among the rebels who undertook to 
drive us from the fence. Such coolness is seldom 
witnessed on the battle-field, and we could record 
many daring deeds performed by individuals dur- 
ing the engagement, but where all behaved so 
coolly what is said in praise of one will apply to 
all. Nevertheless, after completely defeating the 
enemy in our front, to be overpowered when out 
of ammunition, by a superior force in our rear, 
when we had a large army lying in camp six or 
seven miles back, was a poor reward for such 
heroism; but such are the fortunes of war. 

Gen. T. E. G. Ransom passed through our Regi- 
ment during the engagement, cheering the men 
with his presence. He also testified to their 
bravery in his official report of the battle. To 
give a more general idea of the engagement, we 
will insert a copy of Gen. Ransom's official report. 
He commanded the Thirteenth Army Corps, was 
wounded in the leg during the engagement, and 
sent to New York, where this report was written : 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 135 

"New York City, June ii, 1864. 

"Sir: I have the honor to make the following 
report of the movements of the troops under my 
command, consisting of the Third Division, Thir- 
teenth Army Corps, Brig.-Gen. R. A. Cameron, 
commanding, and the Fourth Division, Thirteenth 
Army Corps, under command of Col. W. J. Lan- 
drum, on the 6th, 7th and 8th of April, 1864. 

"On the 6th of April, my detachment, having 
the advance of the infantry column, moved from 
Natchitoches at 6 o'clock A. M., in the rear of 
the cavalry division, and being constantly de- 
layed by the baggage-train of the latter, went in- 
to camp late on Bayou Mayon, having marched 
nineteen miles on the Pleasant Hill road. Moved 
at half-past 5 o'clock A. M. on the 7th, the head 
of the column arrivng at Pleasant Hill, 19 miles, 
at 2 o'clock P. M., overtaking the cavalry train 
on the road, and Dudley's brigade of cavalry at 
Pleasant Hill. When these had moved from our 
camping-grounds, I went into camp about 4 
o'clock P. M., though my train and rear-guard 
did not arrive till late at night. At 10 o'clock P. 
M., I received an order to send a brigade to Gen. 
Lee, commanding the cavalry division, at or be- 
fore 5 o'clock the following morning. In compli- 
ance with the above order. Col. Landrum moved 
with the first brigade of his division, and reported 
to Gen. Lee at daylight on the 8th. 

"Under orders from Maj.-Gen. Franklin, I moved 
the remainder of the Corps forward at half-past 5 



136 HISTORY OF THE 

o'clock A. M., and arrived with the advance at 
St. Patrick's Bayou, at half-past 10 o'clock A. M., 
our march having as before been retarded by the 
cavalry train. Gen. Franklin had previously 
designated this creek as my camping-ground, and 
I accordingly ordered the Third Division, and the 
second brigade of the Fourth Division, into camp 
at half-past 10 A. M. Before the order had been 
complied with, a request was received from Gen. 
Lee, asking for more infantry, to relieve that al- 
ready with him, and Gen. Franklin directed me to 
send the second brigade of the Fourth Division, 
Col. J. W. Vance commanding, to relieve the first 
brigade, who were reported as worn out with hard 
skirmishing and marching. 

"The second brigade moved forward at 11 
A. M. and at my request. Gen. Franklin author- 
ized me to go to the front, and see that the first 
brigade was relieved by the second. I immedi- 
ately went forward, and on the road received a 
dispatch, of which the following is a copy : 

"'12, noon. Gen. Ransom : My men have skir- 
mished and marched through the bushes and 
thickets for 8 or 9 miles. They have no water, 
and are literally worn out. Can you have them 
relieved soon? Gen. Lee insists on our pushing 
forward. " 'W. J. LANDRUM, 

"'Col. Com'd'g4th Div.' 

"The infantry finding much difficulty in passing 
the cavalry train, which obstructed the road, I 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. I37 

went on in advance of them, and arrived at the 
front, 5}^ miles from St. Patrick's Bayou, about 
half-past I o'clock P. M. I found that our forces 
had just driven the enemy across an open field, 
and were shelling him from a fine position on a 
ridge, which Col. Landrum occupied with his in- 
fantry and Nim's battery, about 2 o'clock P. M. 
It was determined to halt here, in order to allow 
the second brigade to come up and relieve the 
first. 

"In company with Brig.-Gen. Stone and Lieut. 
Higby, signal-officer, I went to the front line of 
skirmishers, and carefully reconnoitered the posi- 
tion of the enemy. We were able to perceive 
two batteries, and a large force of infantry in line 
of battle, in the edge of the woods, from a half 
to three-quarters of a mile from our front, and 
also considerable bodies of infantry moving down 
the road leading to our right and rear. 

"Hearing of the arrival of Maj.-Gen. Banks 
and staff upon the field, about 3 o'clock P. M., I 
reported to him, and advised him of the position 
and apparent strength of the enemy, and from 
him received instructions as to the disposition of 
my troops on the field, and of those momentarily * 
expected. Upon the arrival of the brigade, the 
positions of two of its regiments — the 83d and 96th 
— were assigned by Maj. Leiber, of Gen. Banks' 
staff, on the opposite flank from that determined 
on by Gen. Banks and myself, and in a position 
where I should not have placed them. 



138 HISTORY OF THE 

"The infantry on the right of the road occu- 
pied a narrow belt of timber, dividing two large 
plantations, and having open, though broken, 
ground in front, and in the rear a cultivated field, 
which descended to a small creek, and thence 
rose to the timber, one-half mile to the rear of 
our line. 

"Nim's battery was posted on a hill, near the 
road, about two hundred yards to the left of the 
belt of timber, and was supported by the 23d 
Wisconsin infantry, which was on the left and be- 
hind the crest of the hill, with open fields in front. 
The 67th Indiana supported the battery on the 
right, joined by the 77th and 130th Illinois, 48th 
Ohio, 19th Kentucky, 96th Ohio, a section of 
mounted artillery, and the 83d Ohio, making in 
all 2,413 infantry. The cavalry and mounted in- 
fantry under Gen. Lee, were posted on the flanks 
and rear, having Col. Dudley's brigade on the 
left and Col. Lucas's on the right, and also skir- 
mishers deployed in front of the infantry. 

"The skirmishing continued throughout the af- 
ternoon, becoming sharp on the right about half- 
past 2 o'clock P. M. At this time Col. Lucas re- 
ported that his skirmishers on the extreme right 
were driven in, and that a few of his men on that 
flank had been captured. About 4 o'clock P. M. 
the enemy commenced advancing his lines across 
the open fields in our front, and east of the road. 
I directed Col. Landrum to advance our right, con- 
sisting of the 83d, 96th and 48th Ohio, 130th lUi- 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 1 39 

nois, and 19th Kentucky, and he immediately 
opened fire on the enemy, now in good range, 
and advancing in two lines. We drove back his 
first line in confusion upon his second, but recov- 
ering, he again advanced till, unable to endure our 
heavy fire, he halted about two hundred yards 
from our front, where many of his men lay down 
and returned our fire. I felt confident that this 
portion of our line could not be broken, but while 
moving toward the left flank I was informed that 
the enemy were pressing us at that point, and that 
the mounted infantry were falling back. 

"At this time Captain White, chief of artillery, 
reported that the Chicago Mercantile Battery, 
Lieut. Cone commanding, and the First Indiana 
Battery, Capt. Klaus commanding, had arrived, 
and I directed him to place them in an advanta- 
geous position on a ridge to the east of the road, 
and near a house occupied as Gen. Banks' head- 
quarters, where they opened on the enemy, who 
had shown himself in strong force on the left. * * 

"Our left flank was completely turned, and the 
enemy, having taken Nim's battery, were in 
strong force on the hill, and pouring a destructive 
fire into the batteries of the Fourth Division. I 
ordered the latter to the rear, to a point on the 
right of the road, and sent Capt. Dickey, my 
Ass't. Adj't.-General, to order Col. Landrum to 
withdraw his Division to the edge of the timber 
in our rear. Capt. Dickey was to send aides to 
the different regiments, to give the orders direct, 



I40 HISTORY OF THE 

in case he should not find Col. Landrum, but 
while in performance of this duty, this gallant offi- 
cer fell senseless from his horse, mortally wound- 
ed. Owing to the loss of Capt. Dickey before 
he had communicated my orders, some of the 
regiments did not receive them until they were 
surrounded and their retreat cut off, while they 
were gallantly fighting a superior force in their 
front. 

"In company with Col. Landrum, I was, as the 
troops arrived, re-forming the line in the edge of 
the woods, when I was severely wounded in the 
knee and was carried to the rear. I found the 
woods and roads full of mounted men, flying in 
confusion from the field. 

"I desire here to bear witness to the gallantry 
of Brig. -Gen. Stone, who was on the left of the line 
with Gen. Lee. He used the small force of 
infantry to the best advantage, in bravely 
but unsuccessfully endeavoring to repulse the 
overwhelming force of the enemy. Col. Lan- 
drum, commanding Fourth Division, was conspic- 
uous, and everywhere present, encouraging all 
by his own gallant conduct, and judicious disposi- 
tion of his men. * * * 

"I was an eye-witness of the bravery and sol- 
dierly bearing of Lieut. -Col. Cowan and Maj. 
Mann, of the 19th Kentucky, Lieut. Col. Baldwin, 
83d Ohio, Maj. Bering, 48th Ohio, Maj. Reed, 
130th Illinois, and know the gallantry with which 
their men repulsed the enemy in his first 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. I4I 

attack. ********* 

** The conduct of the troops under my com- 
mand was all that I could ask. They repulsed a 
superior force in their front, and but for the move- 
ment of a large body of the enemy upon our left, 
which could not be prevented with the force at 
our command, would have held the first line, and, 
with the assistance of Gen. Cameron's Third Di- 
vision, could have checked the enemy till the ar- 
rival of the Nineteenth Corps. ***** 

" I have the honor to be, Major, very respect- 
fully, your obedient servant, 

"T. E. G. RANSOM,* Brig.-Gen. Vols. 
"Maj. Wickham Hoffman, Ass't. Adju't.-Gen." 

After the Fourth Division was captured, the Third 
Division of the Thirteenth Army Corps arrived, 
were, in turn, overpowered, being compelled to fall 
back before superior numbers, and the enemy were 
not checked until they came up with the Nine- 
teenth Corps, about two or three miles from 
where we had been captured. 

Seven miles back from the battle-ground the 
Nineteenth Corps was encamped, numbering five 
or six thousand men, and fifteen miles back, Gen. 
A. J. Smith, with seven or eight thousand. The 
main army was in camp, out of supporting dis- 
tance, to the number of thirteen or fourteen 
thousand men, while the battle was fought on our 
side with twenty-four hundred, besides the cavalry, 

*Died of dibease in the Atlanta campaign. 



142 HISTORY OF THE 

and we had opposed to us an arm)^ of ten 
thousand rebels. 

In this engagement the rebels captured 1,200 
prisoners, besides the wounded, 20 pieces of ar- 
tillery, and 250 cavalry wagons. But it was a 
dear-bought victory for the enemy. The 17th 
Texas was badly cut up, and the Crescent 
regiment, composed of young men of the first 
families of New Orleans, was almost annihilated. 
It lost every field officer, and many of its com- 
pany officers, while the i8th and 28th Louisiana 
suffered severely in killed and wounded, both 
of officers, and men, and Gen. Mouton, a favorite 
officer, was killed. 

The following account of the battle is from the 
Confederate Lieutenant-General, Richard Taylor's, 
" Personal Experiences of the Late War " : 

"Leaving Green, I returned to Mansfield, stop- 
ping on the road to select my ground for the mor- 
row. This was in the edge of a wood, fronting 
an open field, eight hundred yards in width 
by twelve hundred in length, through the center 
of which the road to Pleasant Hill passed. On 
the opposite side of the field was a fence, separat- 
ing it from the pine forest, which, open on the 
higher ground and filled with underwood on the 
lower, spread over the country. The position 
was three miles in front of Mansfield, and covered 
a cross-road leading to the Sabine. On either 
side of the main Mansfield-Pleasant Hill road, 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 1 43 

at two miles' distance, was a road parallel to it, 
and connected by this Sabine cross-road. 

" My troops reached the position in front of 
Sabine cross-road at an early hour on the 8th, 
and were disposed as follows : On the right of the 
road to Pleasant Hill, Walker's infantry division 
of three brigades, with two batteries ; on the left, 
Mouton's, of two brigades and two batteries. As 
Green's men, (composed of three brigades of 
cavalry, under Generals Bee, Mayor and Bagby) 
came in, they took position, dismounted, on Mou- 
ton's left. 

"A regiment of horse was posted in each of 
the parallel roads mentioned, and DeBray's caval- 
ry, with McMahon's battery, held in reserve on 
the main road. Dense forest prevented the em- 
ployment of much artillery, and, with the excep- 
tion of McMahon's, which rendered excellent 
service, none was used in the action. I had on 
the field 5,300 infantry, 3,000 horse, and 500 ar- 
tillerymen, in all, 8,800 men, a very full estimate, 
and on the morrow Churchill, with 4,400 muskets, 
would be up. * * * 

"The enemy showing no disposition to advance, 
at 4 P. M. I ordered a forward movement of my 
whole line. The ardor of Mouton's troops, es- 
pecially the Louisianians, could not be restrained 
by their officers. Crossing the field under a heavy 
fire of artillery and small arms, the division 
reached the fence, paused for a moment to draw 
breath, then rushed into the wood on the enemy. 



144 HISTORY OF THE 

Here our loss was severe. Gen. Mouton was killed, 
as were Colonels Armand, Beard and Walker, 
commanding the i8th, the Crescent, and 28th 
Louisiana regiments of Gray's brigade.* Maj. 
Canfield, of the Crescent, also fell, and Lieut.-Col. 
Clack, of the same regiment, was mortally wound- 
ed. As these officers went down, others, among 
whom Adjutant Blackman was conspicuous, seiz- 
ed the colors and led on the men. Polignac's 
brigade, on the left of Gray's, also suffered heavi- 
ly. Col. Noble, 17th Texas, with many others, 
was killed. Polignac, left in command by the 
death of Mouton, displayed ability and pressed 
the shattered division steadily forward. Randall, 
with his fine brigade, supported him on the right j 
while Major's dismounted men, retarded by dense 
wood, much to the impatience of Gen. Green, 
gradually turned the enemy's right, which was 
forced back, with loss of prisoners and guns. 

"On the right of the main road, Gen. Walker, 
with Waul's and Scurry's brigades, encountered 
but little resistance until he had crossed the open 
field and entered the wood. Finding that he out- 
flanked the enemy's left, he kept his right brigade. 
Scurry's, advanced, and swept everything before 
him. 

" The first Federal line, consisting of all the 
mounted force and one division of the 13th Army 
Corps, was in full flight, leaving prisoners, guns 

*Gen. Gray's brigade occupied the position in front of our 
brigade. 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. T45 

and wagons in our hands. Two miles in the rear 
of the first position, the 2d Division of the 13th 
Corps was brought up, but was speedily routed, 
losing guns and prisoners ; and our advance con- 
tinued. Near sunset, four miles from our original 
position, the 19th Army Corps was found, drawn 
up on a ridge, overlooking a small stream. 
Fatigued and distressed by their long advance 
through dense wood, my men made no impression 
for a time on this fresh body of troops ; but pos- 
session of the water was all-important, for there 
was none other between this and Mansfield. 
Walker, Green and Polignac led on their weary 
men, and I rode down to the stream. There was 
some sharp work, but we persisted, the enemy fell 
back, and the stream was held just as twilight 
faded into darkness. * * * 

** Sitting by my camp-fire, to await the move- 
ment of Churchill's column, I was saddened by 
the recollection of the many dead, and tht pleasure 
of victory was turned to grief as I counted the fearful 
cost at which it had been won. Of the Louisianians 
fallen, most were acquaintances, many had been 
neighbors and friends ; and they were gone. 
Above all, the death of gallant Mouton affected 
me. * * * Our total loss in killed, wounded 
and missing, (during the campaign) was 3,376." 

The plan of the campaign was for Gen. 
Steele, with a force of 10,000 men, to form 
a junction with Gen. Banks at or near Shreve- 
port, but Gen. Steele, having lost a large portion 



146 HISTORY OF THE 

of his supply train, was compelled to abandon the 
expedition before he got within 100 miles of 
Shreveport. 

After our capture at Sabine Cross Roads, 
the enemy was held in check by the 19th 
Corps, and the army fell back to Pleasant Hill dur- 
ing the night. The following day the battle of 
Pleasant Hill was fought, in which the rebels were 
defeated and driven from the field. The following 
morning at daylight the army retreated to Grand 
Ecore, where it was delayed on account of the 
navy until April 2 2d, when the retreat was re- 
sumed and the enemy found in a strong position 
at Cane river ; but after a severe engagement they 
were dislodged and the army reached Alexandria 
April 25th. The following day the fleet of gun- 
boats and transports arrived at the head of the 
falls, but owing to the low stage of the river they 
could not cross them. The great danger was 
that the whole fleet would have to be destroyed, 
to keep it from falling into the hands of the ene- 
my. At this critical period Lieut.-Col. Baily, of 
the 4th Wis. Vol's., made a proposition to erect a 
dam at the foot of the falls and two wing dams on 
both sides of the river above, and by this 
means, force the water into the main channel, 
of sufficient depth to allow the fleet to pass over 
the falls. The work was commenced April 30th, 
by the Pioneer Corps and large details from the 
army. The soldiers labored zealously day and 
night, in the water waist-deep, until May 13th, 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 1 47 

when the last vessel, amid the cheers of the army 
and navy, passed over the falls. 

The army then evacuated Alexandria, and re- 
sumed its march to the Mississippi river, where, 
after several sharp engagements with the enemy, 
they reached Simmsport May i6th, and Gen. 
Canby relieved Gen. Banks of the command of 
the Department of the Gulf. 

Thus ended the Red River expedition, which, 
under able generalship, might have struck the rebel 
cause in the Southwest a severe blow, but instead 
of that it revived to a great extent the drooping 
spirits of the enemy. 

The immense wagon-train of the cavalry re- 
ceived its full share of blame for the failure of the 
expedition, of which a military critic says : "Gen. 
Banks made his great march up Red river with 
his wagons as his advance-guard. The scheme 
worked finely, and would have been a complete 
success if the enemy had not interfered with the 
arrangement." 

The total loss of Gen. Banks' army during the 
campaign, was 289 killed, 1,541 wounded, and 
2,150 missing ; total, 3,980. The enemy's loss, ac- 
cording to Gen. Taylor, was 3,976, our loss being 
over half in prisoners, while the greater portion of 
theirs was in killed and wounded. 

From the summary of the report of the Con- 
gressional Committee, before whom the testimony 
was taken, we gather the following : 



148 HISTORY OF THE 

"The whole expedition presents many remark- 
able features. It was undertaken without the di- 
rection of any one, so far as the evidence shows, 
and the authorities at Washington did not furnish 
the troops which the General commanding the 
expedition considered necessary for the purpose. 
In the absence of all orders requiring this expedi- 
tion to be undertaken, and after the refusal of the 
authorities at Washington to furnish the troops 
asked for, it was entered upon by the Commanding 
General, as shown by the evidence, against his 
judgment and in the belief that it must necessarily 
fail ; and it was prosecuted at an immense sacri- 
fice of life, of property and valuable time, after 
the development of facts that utterly precluded all 
hope of success. Its only results, in addition to 
the disgraceful disasters that attended it, were of 
a commercial and political character. The com- 
mercial transactions were conducted by specula- 
tors, who followed the army with and without per- 
mits. The political transaction was the holding 
of elections in the camps of the army while re- 
organizing a civil government in the State of 
Louisiana," etc. etc. 

Such is the report of the Committee on the Con- 
duct of the War, of which Senator Wade was 
chairman, in regard to the Red River Expedition, 
under Gen. Banks. 

From the battle-field we were taken to Mans- 
field, about four miles distant, and put in the 
court-house yard. After taking our names, they 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 149 

marched us about two miles out of town, and 
guarded us in a field. The night was cold and 
chilly, and as we had no blankets, we set fire to 
some old logs and crowded around as closely as 
possible, in order to keep warm. About eleven 
o'clock that night we received a few crackers and 
some bacon. 

The next day, April 9th, the prisoners, number- 
ing 182 officers and 1,000 men, in charge of a 
battalion of Louisiana cavalry, started for Camp 
Ford, Texas. x\fter marching 15 or 20 miles, we 
were corraled for the night. Here we received 
our first regular rations from the Confederacy, 
which consisted of a pint of musty corn meal, 
coarsely ground, and a slice of salt beef. As we 
had no cooking utensils, some procured boards, 
upon which they baked their bread, while others 
baked it in the ashes. A number had their ra- 
tions cooked at a house near camp, for which the 
charge was so exorbitant that in the future they 
did their own cooking. If at any time we were 
so fortunate as to procure a pot or kettle from the 
guards, we would have a sumptuous feast of mush, 
which, for want of spoons, was eaten with paddles. 

The following day we proceeded on our way to 
Texas. In places we found the road lined with 
slaves, in charge of their masters, who were hur- 
rying them to Texas to prevent them from falling 
into the hands of the "Yankees." The con- 
tracted brows of the masters indicated their ha- 
tred, while the happy countenances of the slaves 



150 HISTORY OF THE 

showed that they considered us their best friends. 
For the benefit of both parties, we would sing, 

"Ole Massa runn'd— aha! 
De darkeys stay, oho ! 

It must be now dat de kingdom am a comin', 
An' de year ob Jubilo !" 

which would make the masters frown and the 
darkies grin. 

On the nth we passed through Lagrange. The 
only building of note was a large school-house, 
that was used as a hospital, and was full of sick 
and wounded rebels. We camped that evening 
on one of the very few streams that are found in 
that part of the country, as the surface is undu- 
lating, and the soil sandy, gravelly and dry, with 
but few springs, or running streams. Occasional- 
ly, on the march, we would pass large crowds of 
men and women, waiting at some cross-road to 
catch a glimpse of the ''Yankees." While pass- 
ing, we generally sang some Union song for their 
benefit. At one place, quite a number of ladies 
had collected from the neighborhood of a small 
village, and we sang for them the following war- 
song : 

"The stars and the stripes shall wave in evert State, 

As WE GO marching ON," 

to the tune of "John Brown," when several of 
them cried out "No, they shan't ! No, they shan't !" 
accompanied with gestures that were quite amus- 
ing. We continued our song, one key higher. 
Soon after we were halted for a rest, at the only 
school-house seen outside of a town or city on 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 151 

our way to prison. It was occupied by a lady 
teacher and a few small scholars. She directed 
the children to give the prisoners what they had 
left from their dinners. She was from the State 
of Illinois, and the war found her teaching in 
Texas. 

On the fourth day's march we arrived at Mar- 
shall, Texas, and camped in the woods near the 
city. The next morning we passed through the 
place. The whole surrounding population turned 
out to see the "Yankees" who had been captured. 
Some really believed that they had made prison- 
ers of the whole army. Our boys would halloo 
at them and sarcastically tell them they had cap- 
tured all the "Yankees," "the war was now over," 
etc. While passing through the main street, we 
came to a large crowd, who occupied the side- 
walks and windows. The guards, who were prin- 
cipally boys, coaxed us to sing that "Flag Song," 
("Rally Round the Flag, Boys.") It was no sooner 
said than done, and when we came to the chorus : 

"Down with the traitors and up with the stars," 

one old lady ran out of the crowd, very much ex- 
cited, and called to the guards to "make the Yan- 
kees quit that singing." But they enjoyed it too 
much to order us to stop. The old lady kept on 
shaking her fist at us, and stamping her feet, but 
whatever she said was drowned in the chorus of 
the "Union Forever," sung by about five hun- 
dred Yankees, who felt miserable enough to make 
everybody else feel so. 



152 HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER XVI. 

PRISON LIFE IN TEXAS. 

"In the prison cell I sit, thinking, mother dear, of you. 
And our bright and happy home, so far away ; 

Yet the tears they fill my eyes, spite of all that I can do. 
Though I try to cheer my comrades and be gay." 

Arrival at Camp Ford — The Stockade— Building Huts — 
Col. Allen Eelieved by Col. Border — Adjutant Mc- 
Eaehan — ''Keno" — Tied Up by the Thumbs — Kations 
Cut Off— The Famous Order, ''Kill All Eecaptured 
Prisoners" — New Recruits from Gen. Steel's Army — 
Building Hospital — Poisonous Insects — Fourth of July 
Celebration — Exchange of One Thousand Prisoners 
— New "Cart-el" — Tunneling — Our Flag in Prison — Dif- 
ferent Trades — Inflation Prices — Old Citizen Dumped 
— Brutal Treatment of Prisoners — Escape of Maj. 
Bering and Lieut. Srofe — New Commander. 

^^^FTER seven days weary marching, we arriv- 
^P^ ed at Camp Ford, situated four miles east of 
Tyler, Smith county, Texas, an old prison, which 
contained about 600 Union soldiers. It was com- 
monly called "the Stockade," and had been en- 
larged from about three acres to six, in order to 
make room for new-comers. It was surrounded 
by logs set into the ground, and projecting out 
five or six feet, on the outside of which the guards 
were stationed. When we came in sight of the 
stockade, all eyes were directed toward what was 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 153 

to be our future home. The sight was not very 
encouraging. Inside of what appeared to be a 
large pen, were a few log cabins scattered around, 
with here and there a hut, made of brush, or a 
hovel, made altogether of yellow clay. Every 
cabin, and every available high spot of ground, 
were covered by the old prisoners, who were 
dressed in "tatters and rags," and all anxious to 
get a glimpse of "Gen. Banks' Army," which the 
rebels reported as being captured. We were 
marched to the upper part of the stockade and 
drawn up in line, when Col. Allen, the prison com- 
mander, addressed the prisoners to the effect, that 
each regiment would be allowed the length of the 
ground they occupied, with a width of twenty 
feet, for their quarters, and told them to make 
themselves as comfortable as possible. We thought 
this rather cool, as we had no blankets or covering 
of any kind. We had marched 500 miles since 
we left Berwick Bay, March 7th, and to say we 
were tired, foot-sore, hungry and discouraged, 
would be stating it mildly. 

The officers of our Regiment were kindly in- 
vited by the old officers in prison, to their several 
shanties, and provided with supper and lodging 
until they succeeded in building a residence of 
their own. For this kindness, the officers of the 
Regiment will forever consider themselves under 
obligations to the old prisoners. The following 
day the officers of the Regiment decided to build 
a log cabin. We borrowed one ax, and paid for 



154 HISTORY OF THE 

the use of another, and by two weeks hard work 
we had succeeded in erecting a log hut, by carry- 
ing the logs half a mile. In the course of time 
the prisoners succeeded in building shanties, 
brush huts, or rude hovels, by burrowing in the 
ground. 

One difficulty in making shelter was the scarci- 
ty of axes ; still greater, to get permits to go out- 
side. The rebel authorities claimed that they did 
the best they could, but this was a mistake. It 
would have been but very little trouble for them, 
with the slaves at their command, to have built 
log cabins sufficient to shelter every prisoner. But 
the enterprising and industrious Northern sol- 
diers only asked permission to go outside and get 
the necessary material, which was granted to so 
few at a time, that very little progress could be 
made. 

While engaged in building, the time passed rap- 
idly, but after that was done, it began to hang 
heavily on our hands. The few books in camp 
were soon read ; playing chess became irksome 
after a while, and too much sleeping during the 
day spoiled our rest at night. 

Our meals did not occupy a great deal of our 
time. After roll-call we had breakfast, which con- 
sisted of corn bread and corn coffee, and dinner 
as soon thereafter as possible, consisting of corn 
bread and beef, our supper being made up of the 
scraps of the two previous meals, provided there 
had been anything left. 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 1 55 

We had settled down and were getting used to 
the new order of things, when, about the middle of 
May, ten or twelve hundred prisoners that had 
been captured at Marks' Mills, Arkansas, from 
Gen. Steel's command, were turned into the 
stockade. A short time afterward, another party 
arrived, consisting of about six hundred prisoners, 
generally known as Col. Leek's men. They 
had been sent forward for exchange, but on 
account of some difficulty, were returned to their 
old quarters after an absence of eight or ten 
weeks. They were decidedly a hard-looking set 
of men, as they had been in prison for nearly a 
year, and during that time had not received a 
single article of clothing.. 

After eight or ten weeks under Col. Allen, as 
prison commander, he was superseded by Lieut.- 
Col. Border. Col. Allen was not a bad man at 
heart. He did not misuse any of the prisoners, 
although he never granted them any particular 
favors. He put off every one with fair promises, 
which were seldom redeemed. 

Our new commander, Col. Border, was some- 
what on the "black-flag" order — "Kill as you go" 
— but too indolent to carry out any of his threats. 
He had a worthy tool in the person of his Adju- 
tant, Lieut. McEachan, whQ was always contriving 
something to cause trouble, that he might "shoot 
Yankees by the wholesale," as he remarked on 
one occasion. 

We were well supplied with gamblers, and their 



156 HISTORY OF THE 

favorite game was called "Keno." Sometimes as 
many as a dozen differentgambling institutions were 
in full blast in the public square. Every few days 
Adjutant McEachan, with a squad of soldiers, 
would slip in and surround the gamblers and cap- 
ture their funds. To avoid these raids, the gam- 
blers would place a sentinel, who, when he saw 
McEachan coming, would give the watch-word, 
''Keno," which was repeated all over the camp, 
and thus they were protected from future raids. 
But this watch-word, "Keno," McEachan thought 
was applied to him, for whenever he appeared he 
was greeted on all sides with the cry of "Keno," 
which so exasperated him that he would take 
whole squads out and punish them for refusing to 
point out the parties who called out "Keno." To 
deliver up a fellow-prisoner was never thought of 
for a moment ; consequently, the whole squad 
would be punished, by tying their thumbs to a 
beam overhead, and compelling them to stand with 
their bare feet on sharp sticks driven into the 
ground. He finally withheld the rations from the 
whole camp, unless the leaders of the "Keno" cry 
would be delivered up for special punishment. 
But Col. Flora and Capt. DeHart, of the 46th 
Indiana, having sent word to the commander at 
Tyler, notifying him of the action of the Adju- 
tant, he ordered Col. Border to supply the prison- 
ers with rations without delay. But for the 
prompt action of Col. Anderson, the commander 
at Tyler, there is no telling how the matter might 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. I57 

have ended. Had the Adjutant persisted in his 
threat to starve us into compliance with his terms, 
the four thousand desperate and half-starved pris- 
oners would no doubt have overpowered the 
guards and flooded the country. 

After the public reprimand of McEachan by 
Col. Anderson, he did not torment the Yankees 
by wholesale, but made individuals feel his power. 
Prisoners recaptured in the attempt to escape, 
were made to stand on stumps or barrels, for days, 
without hats or shoes, in the broiling sun, while a 
guard stood over them with loaded musket, to 
prevent them from sitting down. Others were 
tied up by the thumbs in the manner already 
described, or sent to jail at Tyler, in irons, while 
several guards, who had shot a number of our 
men without provocation, were rewarded by pro- 
motion for the deed. Then came the famous or- 
der to kill all re-captured Yankees : 

"Hereafter, any Federal prisoner, being de- 
tected in trying to make his escape from the 
prison, either in the act or after he has made his 
escape, will be shot by the one capturing him. 
By order of Lieut.-Col. BORDER, 

"Commanding Camp Ford Prison. 

"B. W. McEachan, Lieut, and Act'g Adj't." 

In this way he kept the camp in a continual 
state of feverish excitement. In the meantime, 
additions were being made almost weekly to our 
number, from Gen. Banks' army, on Red River, 



158 HISTORY OF THE 

and Gen. Steel's army, in Arkansas, until the pen 
was almost over-crowded. Sickness now began to 
increase, and the so-called hospital for the prison- 
ers, composed of a log cabin and some brush huts, 
was soon filled. The sanitary condition of the 
stockade, and the wants of the sick, are well de- 
scribed in the report of the Prison Surgeon, which 
is as follows : 

"Tyler, Texas, June 14, 1864. 
"Surgeon /, M. Hayderiy Chief Med, Bureau, Trans' 
Miss. Deft. : 
"Sir: — In obedience to orders, I reported to 
Col. Anderson, Commander of Federal prisoners, 
who placed me on duty as Surgeon in charge. I 
at once examined the sanitary condition of the 
stockade, and, although my mind was prepared 
by representation, to meet with abundant material 
for disease, it fell far short of the reality. The 
enclosed ground is entirely too small for the 
number of men, (over 4,500), and it would be im- 
possible to make them healthy in such a crowded 
condition. The filth and offal have been deposit- 
ed in the streets and between the quarters, from 
which arises a horrible stench. A great number 
of enlisted men have no quarters or shelter, and 
have to sleep out on the ground, with not even a 
blanket to cover them. Some of the sick are thus 
situated, and I am making preparations to pro- 
vide for their wants and to make them comfort- 
able. We have a hospital in course of erection, 
and will need bedding very much. The popular 



fORTV fi'.KJHrt! (I. V, V. I, t'^() 

prcjiidire here is so «»tr(>ng a^ninRt thnn, tlud I 
( ,\u get no fftrilitiefi from Ihc pcojile. f hiti ready 
to rcrrivc into the hospital a few, if we hud the 
uffi. Ir : Mid theyare t)()t tobe had here. * * * ♦ 
' Very RespTy, Yottr Ob'dt Serv't. 

"K M. MKA(;HKR/' 

I'he Surgeon's report liad no more effect on the 
Medifal I'.nrrini," than his appeal to tlie "j)irjii 
di( ed people." I'he only rrsnit wns, the rebels 
fiirnislied an old mnle and carl.tohaid off Ihe 
Karbage. 

The enlar^'rmrnl of fhr ho'^pild to meet tlir 
wants of the sick, was done l)y volimleers from 
among the prisoners, who erected two buildings, 
one thirty-five by ten frrt. (he other about fifty 
feet long and twenty fret wide, a short distance 
from the stockade, which was Roon filled with 
emaciated forms. Only the wor^t cases were ab 
lowed to enter, I'.ven then there was not room 
for half — many dying in the stockade. 

The pliysicians, stewards and nurses were all 
volunteers, who were stimulated by a generous 
spirit to assist in relieving the wants of their 
fellow-prisoners, by administering the menger al 
lowance of medicines and rations of corn bread 
and beef, which was not very inviting tf) those 
who, from disease and exposure, were on the 
verge of the grave. A large spring in the south- 
west corner, strongly impregnated with sidphur, 
»tij)plird the prisoners with wholesome water, 



l6o HISTORY OF THE 

which was a great luxury in that miserable pen. 

We had to exercise great caution on account of 
the numerous poisonous insects in and around 
the prison. A soldier was bitten on the neck, 
which became very much swollen, but the sur- 
geons could not do anything to relieve him, and 
after much suffering the man died. A short time 
afterward, a tarantula was found under a board 
in his cabin. The tarantula is in fact an over- 
grown spider, and sometimes attains the size of 
the hand. He is a repulsive looking object, with 
his glaring black eyes and frightful claws. His 
bite is said to be more fatal than that of the rattle- 
snake. They were to be found everywhere under 
the tall grass, and in the woods, under logs and 
in hollow trees. If he is disturbed in his nest, he 
will spring at the intruder like a tiger, sometimes 
jumping three and four feet. 

On the 4th of July, we requested of the Prison 
Commander permission to celebrate Independ- 
ence day, which he finally granted, with the prom- 
ise not to allude to the ^^ unpleasantness^^ then ex- 
isting between the North and South. We assem- 
bled at lo A. M. under our green arbors, formed 
by the green boughs across the whole width of 
the street, where a rude platform had been erected 
for the speakers. The exercises consisted of 
reading the Declaration, orations and toasts. 
Here were gathered the officers and men from 
nearly every Northern, and some from Southern 
States — representing, by their monograms, nearly 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. l6l 

every branch of the service. "Some wore the 
bugles of infantry, others the cross-sabers of cav- 
alry or the trumpets of sharp-shooters, while the 
crossed-cannon represented the artillery, the tur- 
rets and shield the engineers, and gold-banded 
caps the navy." But the majority were without 
sign of rank, or uniform of any kind, being 
dressed in butternut, or the rebel grey. As Du- 
ganne says : 

"Such effigies of garments! armless shirts and 
legless trousers ; bits of blanket tied about the 
loins ; such patches of every size and hue ; such 
scarecrow figures of humanity ! Their wives and 
mothers would not know them from the chiffoniers 
who rake out Northern gutters." 

But their love for the Union and the "old flag" 
was as deep and fervent as ever, as was evinced 
by their frequent and hearty cheers during the 
exercises. Twice the celebration was marred by 
rebel interference ; once by the officer of the 
day, who did not know that we had received the 
proper authority ; the second time by a sergeant 
and a file of soldiers, who charged us with display- 
ing the American flag. We were finally allowed 
to proceed with the celebration, with the warning 
that if a flag v/as displayed, the guards would open 
fire on the prisoners. 

A few days after the celebration, about one 
thousand of the oldest prisoners were exchanged. 
Before leaving, they presented their huts and cook- 
ing utensils to the most needy prisoners. 



l62 HISTORY OF THE 

Numerous ways were tried by the prisoners to 
escape; A large number succeeded in getting 
away by bribing the guards, while others tried 
tunneling, although there were many who did not 
have any faith in that mode of escape. Still, the 
work performed in digging proved beneficialj as 
it kept their minds and hands employed, while 
they forgot everything else. *But very few tunnels 
were ever completed, so as to be of any bene- 
fit for escape. The rebels generally discovered 
them in time to prevent the prisoners from get- 
ting away, and always compelled those caught 
digging to fill the tunnel up again. 

Still another way was the garbage cart. It was 
driven by one of the prisoners^ accompanied by 
two guards. While the cart was being loaded 
with the refuse of the camp, some of the prison-- 
ers would engage the guards in a trade, while two 
of their number would secrete themselves in the 
cart and allow themselves to be covered up with 
the garbage ; then the cart was driven to the 
woods and dumped, the men hiding in the brush 
until dark, when they would make good their es- 
cape. One day two officers were thus secreted, 
but when the cart started, a half-witted prisoner 
informed the guards. Upon being dumped, the 
officers were very much surprised to see the senti- 
nels, who marched them back to prison. This 
ended that way of escape, known as the "New 
Cart-el." 

After the prisoners had succeeded in getting 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 1 63 

out of the Stockade, they had a greater difficulty 
to surmount in evading the pack of bloodhounds, 
which was constantly kept at headquarters, to 
hunt down escaped prisoners. Three or four 
weeks before we arrived, fifteen officers made 
their escape one stormy night, but in less than 
forty-eight hours, thirteeen had been recaptured 
by the hounds. Duganne, in "Camps and 
Prisons," gives the following description of the 
last one that was retaken : 

" Lieut. Collins, a fine western officer, was 
nearly murdered by them. He had stopped to 
rest, when the deep howl of dogs apprised him of 
pursuit. Ere he could make away, two rebels 
rode upon him. A brace of six-shooters were 
leveled at his breast, and the accustomed threat, 
with a huge oath, of shooting on the spot, was 
flung at him. "We'll give the dogs a taste of your 
infernal Yankee blood. Seize him ! Shake him !" 
The furious hounds, thus encouraged, sprang at 
Lieut. Collins; their glittering white teeth, with 
white foam gathered on their fiery gums, met in 
his ragged uniform. He felt the tearing of his 
garments, and expected momentarily to bleed ; 
when the rebels, with malicious laughter, called off 
their hounds. "You see, Yank, they'd as soon eat 
Yank as nigger. Now jes' tote yer carcass, Yank, 
or we'll shoot you on sight, by ." 

" To fully realize and appreciate these Mogs of 
war,' one ought to be hunted and a fugitive, like 
Lieut. ColHns and his compatriots. While sink- 



164 HISTORY OF THE 

ing with fatigue, spent with privation, hopeless of 
escape, to hear the wolf-like yelp and long, hyena 
howl of these trained man-hunters, is something 
to experience. Some hounds will track a human 
being, day and night, for weeks, and follow his 
scent, especially if it be a negro, hundreds of 
miles, through swamps and woods and over water- 
courses. They are at times like game-dogs, 
smelling the ground at intervals, making deer- 
leaps, springing up to touch the overhanging 
leaves with their nose, they double and dart 
around in circles, cross a stream, and then, with 
a few sniffs of the air, rush up or down the bank 
to find their broken scent again. 

"The quickness of their smell is quite as 
wond&rful as its tenacity. When a negro or a 
white man is to be pursued, the dogs are simply 
taken to the trail and made to nose it. The real 
hounds are never allowed to hunt down any game 
inferior to man. When not in use, they are 
chained up and kept on starving rations. They 
grow fierce as tigers, with forced abstinence, and 
their scent becomes acute in the extreme. Woe 
to the hunted man, if hunger-maddened hounds 
overtake him in the swamps or timber, while the 
mounted pursuers are too far behind to call them 
off or moderate their savage eagerness. Woe to 
the fugitive if the sleuth-dogs once taste his 
blood !" 

The rebels tried on all occasions, by misrepresen- 
tation, to make the prisoners believe that it was the 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 1 65 

fault of our Government that we were not ex- 
changed, which, in the absence of any proof to 
the contrary, was accepted as the truth by many, 
and naturally caused some dissatisfaction. Be- 
sides, the rebels offered great inducements to our 
soldiers to desert. Mechanics, of all kinds, were 
tempted with promises of steady work at big 
wages ; but to their credit be it said, in spite of 
their longing for liberty, coupled with the depri- 
vations in prison, but few accepted these offers. 
One prisoner begged to be let out, on any condi- 
tions that the rebels might name. He had quar- 
reled with his best friend about a loaf of corn 
bread, and in a fit of anger had struck him behind 
the ear with his fist, with such force that he drop- 
ped dead at his feet. He took the oath of alle- 
giance to the Confederacy, and was let out of pris- 
on. We never heard from him afterward. 

When we were captured, our color-bearer, Isaac 
Scott, tore the regimental flag from the staff, and 
gave it to his mess-mate, to conceal in his haver- 
sack. He was left sick on the way to prison, and 
did not arrive for some time after, but through all 
his sickness he clung to the flag, and upon arriv- 
ing at Camp Ford, delivered it to the officers of the 
Regiment for safe keeping. A hole was dug in- 
side of our shanty, in which we buried the flag. 
But the rebels found out, through some means, 
that there was a Union flag in camp. They search- 
ed for it on several occasions, but failed to discov- 
er it. To keep our large, beautiful silk flag 



1 66 HISTORY OF THE 

buried, would soon have ruined it, therefore it 
was sewed up in Capt. Gunsaullus's blouse. He 
wore it among the rebels, with the flag sewed in- 
side the lining. The flag was shown secretly to a 
number of prisoners, some of whom had been in 
captivity for nearly two years, and their eyes 
glistened at the sight of that "Emblem of Free- 
dom." 

The rebels famished us with a few kettles and 
old axes. Everything else we had to provide our- 
selves, in the best way we could. For wash-tubs 
we made troughs ; for wash-boards we cut ridges 
in boards. Our army being composed of men of 
every trade, in a short time most of them were at 
work, contriving something pertaining to their 
several handicrafts. There was the tailor, the 
shoemaker, the watch-maker, the turner, with his 
lathe, who made chess, checkers and other arti- 
cles ; and the baker, who made leather biscuits 
at twenty cents apiece, or a pie for a dollar. The 
most extensive industries were the manufacture of 
stools and arm-chairs, and plaiting straw for sum- 
mer hats. There were also brokers, who ex- 
changed Confederate money for coin and "Green- 
backs," giving forty dollars in exchange for the 
former, and seven for the latter — loaning money 
at fifty per cent.^ payable when exchanged. There 
were also dealers in tobacco, buttons, etc. 

For amusements, we had chess and checkers. 
We also had religious services every Sabbath, as 
long as the chaplains remained, and prayer meet- 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 167 

ings twice a week. And last, but. not least, the 
printer was there with his paper, called "The 
Camp Ford News," which was published oscasion- 
ally by Lieut. Hughes, of the 28th Iowa. The let- 
ters were made with a pen, in imitation of printers' 
type. The paper was quite a success, and was the 
source of much amusement. 

Our rations, which consisted of one pint of corn 
meal and about half a pound of fresh beef, (salt 
was issued in such small quantities that it scarcely 
deserves mention,) were brought in every morning 
in bulk, and divided at the "Public Square," Capt. 
Joe Stevison, of the 77th Ills., superintending the 
thankless task very satisfactorily. His services 
will be kindly remembered by all. Provisions 
could be bought of the old planters in the vicinity, 
but at enormous prices — corn meal from five to 
eight dollars a bushel ; flour two and a half dollars 
a pound ; salt from one to two dollars a pint ; ba- 
con one dollar a pound ; while coffee, sugar, but- 
ter and chickens were not in the market, except 
at such fabulous prices that the prisoners were un- 
able to purchase, except in small quantities, and 
then not often. 

One day an old citizen, accompanied by a guard, 
came in with a cart-load of provisions to dispose 
of. A crowd soon gathered around him, climbing 
up on his cart and mule, and filling every avail- 
able space. While he was busily engaged, selling 
to the prisoners, who were crowding and thrust- 
ing by the handful their Confederate scrip, in ex- 



l68 HISTORY OF THE 

change for his produce, some one pulled out the 
dumping-pin, and away went the old man, guard, 
gun, bacon, chickens, meal, etc., to the ground. 
When he regained his feet, everything had disap- 
peared but the mule and cart. He had even lost 
his pocket-book and hat. 

In regard to the treatment of the prisoners, it 
was generally bad, and in some cases brutal and 
even cruel to the last degree. Calvert, of the 77th 
Ohio, was shot by the guard, merely to try his 
markmanship. O. S. Shoemaker, of the 130th 
Illinois, formerly from near Lynchburg, Ohio, was 
shot through and killed, while conversing on a 
religious subject with a comrade. A member of 
the 173d New York, while running after his hat, 
which had blown off, was fired at by one of the 
guards with a shot-gun, and the entire charge 
lodged in his face and shoulders. 

About the loth of August, the rebel papers an- 
nounced that there would be no more exchange 
of prisoners, on account of the difficulty concern- 
ing the exchange of negro soldiers, which natur- 
ally caused many to think about making their es- 
cape. On the 20th of August, Maj. Bering and 
Lieut. Srofe forged a pass, and left Camp Ford 
for Little Rock, Ark. The account of their ad- 
ventures will be found at the close of the history 
of the Regiment. 

The day after they made their escape, the 
Commander of the Prison, Col. Border, was 
relieved by Col. Sweet. The prisoners were 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 169 

all drawn up in line, preparatory to being 
turned over to our new commander. All who 
had escaped, up to this time, had been ac- 
counted for in various ways, but the number had 
now become too large. We therefore concluded 
to account only for those present, knowing that 
they would not find out when the absentees es- 
caped or how long they had been gone. The 
first name called, of the absentees, was that of 
Maj. Bering. The answer was, "Taken a French." 
The next, Lieut. Srofe, and so on, until they found 
out for the first time that no less than twenty- 
four officers had made their escape, but had here- 
tofore been successfully accounted for as present. 
At first they treated the discovery as a joke, but 
when it reached so large a number they were 
vexed, and they afterwards instructed their roll- 
callers not to accept the word of any prisoner for 
the whereabouts of an officer, but to see each in 
person. However, they soon found it too difficult 
to hunt up every one that was not present, and 
dropped into the old way again. 

With the new commander came new guards, 
who were old men above fifty, taken from the 
rebel reserve. They were very vigilant, and es- 
capes were less frequent. 

Although a large number of the men suffered 
considerably with sore eyes, scurvy and dysentery, 
the Regiment lost but three from sickness while in 
prison, Moore, of Co. B, James Purdy, Co. C, and 
M. Nash, Co. G. This was owing in a great 



lyo HISTORY OF THE 

measure to their energy, in building huts, caves or 
shelters ; to their long service, and the spirit of 
"never despair," peculiar to the Western troops. 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 171 



CHAPTER XVII. 

Paroled — Leaving Camp Ford — Arrival at Four-Mile 
Spring — Maj. Bering and Lieut. Srofe on Their Way- 
Back to Prison — Journey to Grand Ecore — Camped at 
Alexandria — Arrival at the Mississippi — Exchanged — 
The Old Flag— New Orleans — Col. Dwight— Natchez- 
Provost Guard — Consolidated with the 83d Ohio — 
Home on Veteran Furlough. 

jFTER numerous reports of exchange, at last 
the paroling officer, Capt. Birchett, arrived 
with orders from the Commissioner of Exchange 
to parole about seven hundred and fifty prisoners, 
and take them to the mouth of Red river for ex- 
change. He selected the 19th Ky. and 48th Ohio 
regiments, and a number of small squads and in- 
dividual members of different commands. We 
signed the parole on the 30th of September, 
1864. The condition of the parole was not to 
bear arms against their government until duly ex- 
changed. 

The next day, Oct. ist, we left Camp Ford for 
Shreveport, one hundred and ten miles distant, 
where we arrived after five days' weary march, 
foot-sore and tired. We camped at Four Mile 
Spring one week, waiting for boats to take us 
down Red river. While here we were granted 
the freedom of the camp, with the warning, that 



172 HISTORY OF THE 

if anyone was found over one hundred yards from 
camp he would be sent back to prison. A few 
days after our arrival, we learned from Capt. Bir- 
chett, rebel paroling officer, that Maj. Bering 
and Lieut. Srofe had been recaptured and were at 
Shreveport, on their way back to prison. In a 
few days they passed us, with about two hundred 
others, on their way back to Camp Ford. They re- 
ceived their letters, which had arrived at Camp 
Ford during their absence, and proceeded on 
their way, looking sad and weary. But they had 
the sympathy of the whole Regiment, and there 
was many a regret that they could not accompany 
the Regiment on its way to freedom, instead of 
returning back to prison. 

On the nth of October, about half the prison- 
ers started on foot to Grand Ecore; the other 
half went by boats. From there all went by 
steamer to Alexandria. Here we disembarked 
and camped until Oct. 22d, when we were again 
ordered aboard and taken down the stream to 
within a few miles of the Mississippi. Here we 
remained until Sunday evening, the 23d, when 
the boats started with us for the Mississippi, which 
we entered at 4 P. M. Passing down a short dis- 
tance, we landed under the ''stars and stripes" 
once more. With light hearts we stepped off the 
rebel craft, and were turned over to Col. Dwight, 
our Commissioner of Exchange. He ordered us 
on board the St. Mary's, where a band of music 
from New Orleans, and a number of ladies — 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 1 73 

wives of Union officers— were awaiting our ar- 
rival. 

We immediately boarded the vessel, and 
proceeded to the upper deck. The old flag 
was torn from its place of concealment, (Capt. 
Gunsaulus' blouse and hastily tied to a staff pre- 
pared for the occasion. At this signal the band 
struck up the "Star-Spangled Banner," and the 
old flag of the 48th was unfurled to the breeze, 
with waving handkerchiefs and amid the wild 
shouts and deafening cheers of the released pris- 
oners and groans of the rebel guards. But no 
words of "tongue or pen" can convey the emotions 
of that hour. It was an inspiring scene, and one 
that never will be forgotten by those who wit- 
nessed it. The flag was afterwards placed in the 
flag-room of the State-House at Columbus, Ohio, 
where it now remains. 

The rebel Assistant Agent of Exchange, Capt. 
Birchett, on his return to Camp Ford, related to 
the prisoners how the flag of the 48th Ohio, in 
his presence, was torn from the coat of one of the 
officers, after they were exchanged at the mouth of 
Red river. He said it was one of the most ex- 
citing scenes he ever witnessed, and that the 
Regiment deserved a great deal of credit for pre- 
serving their colors during their imprisonment. 

Soon after boarding our boat the musty corn 
bread and tough salt beef was thrown away, and 
we eagerly partook of our regular rations 
once more. 



174 HISTORY OF THE 

In the evening the rebel boats came alongside 
the St. Mary's, and their Commissioner of Ex- 
change, Col. Szymanski, and Capt. Birchett, pa- 
roling officer, came aboard, to arrange with CoL 
Dwight for the next exchange. Here they were 
feasted on the best the boat afforded, by the offi- 
cers of our Regiment, in the hope that they would 
keep their promise and include Maj. Bering and 
Lieut. Srofe in the next exchange, but it was all in 
vain ; the promise was never fulfilled. 

The rebels returned up Red river, and we pro= 
ceeded to New Orleans, where we arrived the 
24th. After disembarking, we were sent to the 
parole camp, by way of the back streets and 
alleys, being too ragged to be seen. Here the 
prisoners were furnished with new clothing, after 
which passes were issued, and they were allowed 
the freedom of the city. 

The Paymaster, who had paid the remnant of • 
the Regiment at Natchez, a short time previous, 
very kindly paid the officers two months' pay, 
which enabled them to obtain a change of cloth- 
ing. 

Here, with regret, we parted with the 19th Ken- 
tucky, a regiment with whom we had been asso- 
ciated for nearly two years. The friendly feeling 
which had existed between the two regiments, 
was manifested on all occasions. During that 
time we had stood side by side in every siege and 
battle ; sharing alike victory and defeat, until 
now we bade them adieu. Great praise is due to 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. tj$ 

such bfave and patriotic men, who stood up 
for the Union, in the dark hours of our National 
existence* Although from a slave State, and many 
of them owning slaves, they did not hesitate to 
rally round the old flag at their country's calL 

Shortly after the prisoners arrived at New Or^ 
leans, the officers were invited by Col. Dwight, 
our Commissioner of Exchange, to visit him at 
his office. We accepted the invitation, and met 
the Commissioner, who gave us a hearty welcome. 
After partaking of refreshments, we passed the 
evening in relating to him the details of our prison 
life in Texas. The Commissioner explained the 
difficulties he had encountered in making the ex^ 
change, but thought he had effected an arrange-' 
ment whereby another lot of three or four hun- 
dred would be exchanged soon. He also inform- 
ed us that all the exchanged prisoners would be 
granted a prison furlough of thirty days. 

Most of the 48th were veterans, who were still 
entitled to their veteran furlough of "thirty days 
in the State," and the time of those that were 
not veterans had expired, therefore none of ouf 
Regiment availed themselves of the prison fur- 
lough, but remained at New Orleans until Novem- 
ber 2d, when we were ordered to Natchez, Mis- 
sissippi, where Col. Parker, with the remnant of the 
Regiment, was on provost-guard. We arrived on 
the 3d, and were welcomed back by those who es- 
caped our fate. 

Col. Parker, who had rejoined the army at 



176 HISTORY OF THE 

Grand Ecore, shortly after the capture of the 
Regiment, was put in command of the remnant of 
the brigade during the retreat down Red river. 
They were finally sent to New Orleans, where the 
Colonel, in the latter part of July, obtained fur- 
loughs for the veterans of the Regiment who had 
escaped capture, and those who had rejoined from 
sick-leave and detached duty, and took them 
home. Before leaving, they procured quite a gay 
uniform, in which they made a handsome appear- 
ance. Upon arriving at Cincinnati they were pa- 
raded through the streets to the Fifth Street Bar- 
racks, where they were quartered. 

The following editorial appeared in the Cincin- 
nati Times, of August 4th, 1864 : 

"the brave 48TH OHIO. 

"This noble Regiment, all that is left of it — 
ninety-four men — arrived in the city yesterday 
morning, and marched to the Fifth Street Bar- 
racks. They come home as re-enlisted veterans, 
to enjoy their thirty days' furlough, and then re- 
turn to the field of strife. Three years since, the 
48th left Camp Dennison, 960 strong. It returns 
to us ninety-four men, all the rest being wounded, 
prisoners, or among the gallant dead. During the 
late Red River Expedition, this Regiment lost 
190^ of its few remaining men, and every one 
of its commissioned officers, with the exception 
of its Colonel, one Captain and one Lieutenant. 
Previous to leaving New Orleans, the furloughed 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 177 

men fitted themselves out with an elegant and pe- 
culiar uniform. They leave to day for their 
homes. Col. J. R. Parker, who commands this or- 
ganization, has good cause to be proud of it." 

While at home, they obtained eighty new re- 
cruits, and on their way back to New Orleans, 
their boat was fired into by guerrillas, which mor- 
tally wounded W. H. Osborn, of Co. B, and S. H. 
Raper, of Co. K. This occurred a short distance 
above Vicksburg. They were left at the hospital 
at that place, where they died soon after. 

Upon arriving at New Orleans, they were as- 
signed the duty of guarding the rebel prisoners, 
who were confined in the cotton presses. They 
were relieved from this duty by the remnant of 
the 77th Ills., and moved up to Natchez, Miss., on 
the steamer "J^i^^ie Rogers," where they arrived 
on the 14th of October. They relieved the 29th 
Ills., who were on provost-guard, and occupied the 
Court House as quarters, when we rejoined them 
at Natchez. The Reg't. remained on provost-duty, 
occasionally going out on picket, until Nov. 19th, 
when the 48th Ohio, 97th Ills., 69th Ind., and 26th 
Ohio Battery, under command of Col. Parker, 
were ordered on a scouting expedition, on the 
Woodville road. 

Rainy weather set in, and the roads becoming 
impassable for the artillery to proceed, the expedi- 
tion was abandoned after a few days absence, and 
we returned to camp, bringing all the forage the 
teams could hauL 



1 78 HISTORY OF THE 

After two unsuccessful attempts to obtain our 
veteran furlough, at last the necessary papers 
were forwarded to Memphis, Tenn., for the ap- 
proval of the Commanding General. 

On the first of January, 1865, we received or- 
ders from Gen. Canby, through Gen. Brayman, 
Commander of the Post, consolidating our Regi- 
ment with the 83d Ohio. The following is a 
copy : 

" Headquarters Military Division, ^ 

West Miss,, New Orleans, La., v 

December 26, 1864. ) 

EXTRACT. 

" Special Orders, No. 224. 

" VI. Under the provisions of General Order 
No. 86, series of iS6;^, War Department, Adjutant 
General's Office, the following named regiments 
will be consolidated, viz : 48th Ohio Vet. Vol. In- 
fantry; 83d Ohio Vol. Infantry. 

"VII. The Battalions of the 48th and 83d 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry will be consolidated into 
ten companies, to be designated as the 83d Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry. All supernumeraries, com- 
missioned and non-commissioned officers, will be 
mustered out as of date of the consolidation. Brig. 
Gen'l. Brayman, Commanding District of Natchez, 
is charged with the execution of this order. * * 
" By command of Maj. Gen. CANBY. 

" C. F. Christensen, Lt. Col. & A. A. G." 

This order did not take effect until the 17th of 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. I79 

January, 1865. The ten companies of the 48th 
Ohio were consolidated into four, and those of the 
83d Ohio into six companies. The field officers of 
the 83d were retained, mustering out of service the 
following officers of the 48th Ohio : Col. J. R. 
Parker, Lieut. Col. J. W. Lindsay; Captains Cyrus 
Hussey, James Sowry and Thomas Montgomery; 
Lieut. H. W. Day, Hospital Steward Jos. H. Gra- 
vatt, and Serg't. Maj. W. A. Pratt, and all super- 
numerary non-commissioned officers of each com- 
pany. Maj. J. A. Bering was included in the mus- 
ter-out, but being confined in prison, he was not 
mustered out until after his release, June 16, 1865. 
The companies lost their identity after the consoli- 
dation. 

This order of consolidation was an act of injus- 
tice to the Regiment, for we were promised the 
continuation of the organization through the war 
on account of two thirds re-enlisting, and the offi- 
cers and men regarded it as showing bad faith on 
the part of the Government. 

Company E, which had been the color-company 
during the entire service, delivered the flag of the 
Regiment to Col. Parker, who brought it home and 
retained possession of it until his death, which 
took place December 5, 1865. Mrs. Parker, upon 
the request of the members of Company A, de- 
livered the flag to E. T. Rayburn,of New Lexington, 
Highland county, Ohio, where it still remains. 

On the 5 th of January, 1865, the prison veterans 
received their long-promised furlough, and started 



l8o HISTORY OF THE 

on the first steamer for home. We arrived at Cairo 
on the evening of the loth, and Cincinnati at 4 A, 
M. on the 12th, after an absence of over three 
years. Upon receiving transportation, the mem- 
bers of the Regiment separated for their respective 
homes, where the old Veterans received a merited 
hearty welcome from their friends, which was one 
continued feast and ovation until they returned to 
active service again. 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. l8l 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

Preparation for Active Service Again— Brigaded with 
Colored Troops — Embarking for New Orleans — Arrival 
at Barrancas, Fla. — Prison Veterans Rejoin from Fur- 
lough — Pensacola — Fort Blakely Invested — The Charge 
and Capture — Up the Alabama River — Selma — Return 
to Mobile — Explosion of Rebel Ammunition — Ordered 
to Texas — Arrival at Galveston — Mustered Out of the 
83d Ohio— The Old 48th Ohio Itself Again— Ordered to 
Houston — Break-Bone Fever — Back to Galveston — Pro- 
motions — On Various Duties — Final Muster-Out — Ar- 
rival at .Columbus— Home and a Quiet Life— Reid's 
History of the 48th Ohio — Testimonials of Brigade and 
Division Commanders. 

HJpHE incidents and adventures of the Regi- 
gllfc ment, from the consolidation until the close 
of the war and final muster-out, were furnished by 
Lieut. James Douglas, of Mt. Auburn, Cincinnati, 
who was a member of the Regiment, and served 
the entire term. 

"Immediately after the consolidation, the Regi- 
ment was brigaded with the 77th and 58th U. S. 
Colored Troops, and went into camp on the Quit- 
man farm, back of the city, under command of 
Brig. Gen. Davidson. On the 28th of January, or- 
ders came to break camp and embark on the 
steamer Grey Eagle. This was accomplished by 
midnight. The following day found us going down 



l82 HISTORY OF THE 

the Mississippi, en route for New Orleans. On the 
30th we disembarked at the lower part of the city, 
near the Lake Pontcharlrain depot. We boarded 
the train, which took us to Lakeport. There we 
embarked on the ocean steamer " Alabama, " and 
midnight of the same day found our vessel steam- 
ing down Lake Pontchartrain. On the 31st, we 
passed through Lake Borgne, thence into Missis- 
sippi Sound, making a short stop at Pensacola, 
Fla. From there into the Gulf, finally landing at 
Barrancas, opposite Ft. Pickens, Fla., on the ist 
day of February, at which place we disembarked 
and went into camp, forming a part of the 3d Brig- 
ade, 2d Division 13th A. C, which composed a 
part of the right wing of the army moving against 
the defenses of Mobile. The Brigade was com- 
manded by Col. F. W. More, of the 83d Ohio, 
which left Lieut. Col. W. H. Baldwin in command 
of the Regiment. We remained at Barrancas, Fla., 
some time, organizing and preparing for an active 
campaign. While here, the Prison Veterans re- 
joined from their furlough, and were assigned to 
their respective companies, under the new organi- 
zation. 

''On the loth of March, we broke camp and 
marched around a portion of Pensacola Bay, to 
Pensacola, where we arrived the same day and 
went into camp near the railroad. We remained 
in camp until the 20th of February, when we again 
took up the line of march, moving up the Mont- 
gomery railroad, through the pine swamp, in a 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 183 

northerly direction. The campaign will be re- 
membered by those engaged in it, as it differed 
from any previous one. The route lay through al- 
most impassable pine swamps. The men carried 
80 rounds of ammunition, an ax to every fourth 
man, an extra pair of shoes, and ten days' rations 
each. The ground was of a quicksand nature, 
and we were frequently obliged to pull wagons 
and mules out with long ropes. We cut down 
trees, and built miles of corduroy roads at the worst 
places. It was slow marching, with constant fa- 
tigue duties, lasting far into the night. To make 
matters worse, the first night out from Pensacola, 
a violent rain-storm set in, damaging the provis- 
ions we carried, and after our ten days were up 
we were placed on one-fourth rations. 

"On the 26th our advance met the enemy at Es- 
cambia river, defeating them, and capturing 120 
rebels and the rebel Gen. Clayton, who was wound- 
ed. We captured Pollard also, a railroad junction, 
two trains of cars, a rebel paymaster, and some 
more prisoners. After this our route lay due 
west, but the roads were not much better. We 
arrived at Stockton on the 31st of March, and 
the 2d of April found us driving the rebel skir- 
mishers into their works at Fort Blakely, Ala. 

" It was a beautiful day. The troops were all 
brought to the front, and preparations made for a 
charge. We formed m masse^ one brigade di- 
rectly in the rear of the other, thus forming a 
solid column. Extra ammunition was distributed. 



l84 HISTORY OF THE 

and the musicians were formed into a hospital 
corps, with stretchers. In this position we stacked 
arms, under a heavy artillery fire from the enemy. 

" While thus waiting in suspense, an order came 
to change our position, and towards evening our 
Division moved to the left, in the woods, occupy- 
ing the center of the army. The following day 
we began to invest Fort Blakely, driving the enemy 
closer to their works, our Regiment taking a posi- 
tion in a ravine, where we remained until the 
final charge, in the meantime performing constant 
fatigue and picket duty, resembling those duties 
at'Vicksburg, only we were not so well protected. 

" On the 9th of April we were formed in line of 
battle in our rifle-pits. One regiment from each 
brigade was selected to deploy as skirmishers ; 
our Regiment being selected from -our brigade. 
Owing to the formation of the ground, we marched 
left in front. It was a grand sight to see the vast 
army, prepared for a charge. Word was passed 
along the line for the skirmishers to advance at 
the bugle signal, and the main line to advance, if 
necessary, when the bugle sounded. We ad- 
vanced in skirmish- order, a distance of 500 yards, 
under a heavy fire of artillery, and a musketry 
cross-fire, over fallen timber, sunken torpedoes, 
and a double line of strong abattis works, going 
through and over the rebel forts, in the face of a 
deadly fire, without the assistance of the rerserve, 
although they were ready to support us if we failed. 
The rebel gunners left some of their pieces partly 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 1 85 

loaded. Some of the rebels surrendered and 
others fled. The Regiment captured two forts, 
eight cannon, two mortars, a long line of breast- 
works, eight hundred prisoners, two flags, and 
a large quantity of small arms, ammunition and 
other stores. The colors were riddled, both staffs 
were shot in two, but the color-bearers gallantly 
carried the flags over the parapet of the fort. 
The Regiment lost 36 officers and men, in killed 
and wounded. 

"This victory gave us possession of Mobile and 
its defenses, and cut the Confederacy in two. We 
remained at Fort Blakely until the 20th of April, 
when we embarked and moved across to Mobile, 
at which place we formed a part of a fleet moving 
up the Alabama river. The army was divided 
into three columns, the i6th Corps and Grierson^s 
cavalry moving north from Fort Blakely to Mont- 
gomery, Ala., Gen. Benton's Division, 13th A. C, 
moving north up the railroad, and our Division, 
under Gen. Anderson, and Hawkins' Colored 
Division, moving up the river in a fleet of trans- 
ports. Our Regiment embarked seven compa- 
nies on the "Gov. Cowels," and the other three on 
the "St. Charles," the latter a rebel blockade- 
runner. 

" We had a very pleasant time going up the river. 
We were allowed plenty of liberty, the country 
was rich in provisions, and we made use of it. 
We were fired into once, and retaliated. This 
was the last time the Regiment was fired at. On 



1 86 HISTORY OF THE 

the 27th of April we reached Selma, Ala., and went 
into camp near the grave-yard, just inside the 
rebel works. The cavalry, under Gen. Wilson, 
had previously captured the place and destroyed 
a vast amount of ordnance stores and manufac- 
tories. 

"We were in Selma until the 12th of May, when 
we embarked on the steamer "John H. Groesbeck," 
and proceeded to Mobile. We performed provost- 
duty at that place for some time. On the 2d of 
May, the Governor promoted Lieut. McCaffrey to 
Captain, and Second Lieut. J. M. Wilson to First 
Lieutenant. During our stay the rebel ammuni- 
tion stored near the depot exploded, which caused 
much damage to property and the loss of many 
lives, some of our Regiment among the number. 

"On the 13th of June, the Regiment embarked 
on the ocean steamer "J. T. Rice," with orders to 
proceed to Texas. We passed Forts Morgan and 
Gaines, thence into the Gulf of Mexico, encoun- 
tering some storms, and arriving at Galveston, 
Texas, on the i8th. After disembarking, we 
camped in the public square, but shortly afterward 
broke camp. Each company was assigned to 
different parts of the city, occupying dwelling- 
houses for quarters. Soon after arriving at Gal- 
veston, an order was received, to muster out all 
troops whose term of service expired previous to 
October ist, 1865. Under this order the original 
83d O. V. I. was mustered out July 26th, 1865, 
when they departed for home. Under this order 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 187 

also, quite a number of the 48th were discharged, 
and at the same time we received accessions from 
other regiments, of men whose term of service 
did not expire with their regiments. 

" Under Special Orders No. 48, 13th A. C, dated 
July 19, 1865, the Regiment resumed its old name 
of 48th Ohio Vet. Vol. Infantry, and was placed 
under command of Capt. J. R. Lynch, afterward 
promoted to Lieut. -Col. Lieut. W. H. H. Rike 
was assigned as Adjutant, Lieut. W. J. Srofe as 
Quartermaster, Surgeon P. A. Willis as Surgeon, 
and H. Baird as Ass't Surgeon. The latter was 
from the 114th Ohio. Serg't. James Douglas was 
appointed Serg't.-Major, and William C. Edwards 
was appointed Hospital Steward. x\ss't. Surgeon 
C. H. Wiles and Lieut. Reed were discharged the 
latter part of July, 

" On the 2d day of August, a portion of the Regi- 
ment embarked and proceeded to Houston, Texas, 
byway of Buffalo Bayou. The remaining compa- 
nies followed soon after, by way of Trinity river. 
Arriving at Houston, we relieved the 34th Iowa, 
who were to be mustered out. Lieut.-Col. Lynch 
relieved Col. Clark as Commander of the Post. 
Lieut. McCaffrey was appointed Post-Adj't. and 
Lieut. Srofe, Post-Quartermaster. 

"The Regiment was now sent by companies to 
various towns on the railroads running into Hous- 
ton. Capt. Cochran, with Company C, was sta- 
tioned at Columbia, on the Brazos river, 85 miles 
from Houston. While stationed there they buried 



1 88 HISTORY OF THE 

the brother of President Johnson, who had been 
fatally injured while boating. The company also 
lost two of its men from malarial fever. 

"During the summer the Regiment suffered from 
break-bone fever, causing many to be sick. At 
one time it was difficult to provide guards for 
duty. It was not, however, fatal to any of them. 

"On the 28th of October, we were relieved from 
duty at Houston, and ordered to relieve the 24th 
Ind. Vet. Vols, from duty at Galveston, who were 
then being mustered out of service. In due time 
we reached Galveston, and took possession of their 
comfortable quarters. 

"On the 4th of September, 1865, the Governor 
issued the following commissions : Lieut. Rike, 
promoted to Captain; Sergeants S. H. Stevenson, 
B. W. Ladd, and F. N. Sweny, promoted -to ist 
Lieutenants, and Sergeants Asa N. Ballard, Elihu 
Hiatt, Q. M. Sergt. Thos. H. Hansell and Serg't. 
Maj. James Douglas, promoted to 2d Lieutenants. 
Lieut. Stevenson was appointed Adjutant in place 
of Lieut. Rike, promoted. H. J. Rausman was 
appointed Q. M. Serg't. Oct. 5, 1865. 

" From the time the Regiment returned to Gal- 
veston, in October, 1865, until our muster-out, we 
performed all kinds of garrison duty, and the offi- 
cers were more or less on detached service, but we 
were not well satisfied with our situation or treat- 
ment, for we felt that we were detained in the ser- 
vice longer than was actually necessary. In fact, 
many expressed themselves in such a way as to 



fORTV-ElGtiTtl O. V. V. 1. 189 

leave no doubt of the feelings of the Regiment. 

" On the 23d of April, we received orders for our 
final muster-outj which was completed, so that we 
were enabled to leave Galveston on the lith day 
of May, 1866, arriving at Columbus^ Ohio, May 
21st, 1866." 

Thus ended the existence of the 48th Ohio Vet* 
Vol. Infantry, after a sefvice of nearly five years^ 
having traveled during that time through eight. 
Southern States^ a distance by land and water of 
eleven thousand five hundred miles, and being 
next to the last Ohio Infantry Regiment discharg- 
ed from the service. 

The following is what Reid says of the 48th Ohio^ 
in "Ohio in the War:" 

" This Regiment was organized at Camp Den^ 
nison on the 17th of February, 1862, and soon af-= 
ter reported to Gen. W. T. Sherman, at Paducah, 
Kentucky. After a short rest at Paducah, it moved 
Up the Tennessee River, on the steamer Empress, 
and on the 19th of March disembarked at Pitts- 
burg Landing. On the 4th of April, while the regi- 
ment was on drill, firing was heard^ and the 48th 
at once moved in the direction of the sound; but 
the enemy fell back, and at night-fall the regiment 
returned to its quarters. About 7 o'clock on the 
morning of the 6th, the regiment advanced upon 
the enemy, and was soon warmly engaged. Charge 
after charge was repulsed, and though the rebel 
fire was making fearful gaps in the line, the men 
stood firm. A battery was sent to the regiment's 



IpO HISTORY OF THE 

aid, but after firing four shots, it retired. The reb- 
els then advanced, confidently expecting to cap- 
ture the regiment, but were driven back, and the 
48th withdrew to its supports, having been ordered 
three times by Gen. Sherman to fall back. It is 
claimed that Gen. Johnston, of the rebel army, was 
killed in this portion of the battle, by some member 
of the 48th. The regiment was actively engaged 
during the remainder of the day, and late in the 
afternoon, in connection with the 24th Ohio and 
36th Indiana, it participated in a decisive attack 
on the rebel lines. It acted throughout in Buck- 
land's Brigade of Sherman's Division— a Brigade 
which had no share in the early rout of a part of 
that Division. 

"On the second day of the battle, about 10 
o'clock A. M., the regiment went into action across 
an open field, under a galling fire, and continued 
constantly exposed until the close of the engage- 
ment. The 48th lost about one-third of its mem- 
bers in this battle. From this time until after the 
close of the Rebellion, the regiment was engaged 
continually in active duty. In the attack upon 
Corinth, the 48th was among the first organized 
troops to enter the rebel works. In Gen. Sher- 
man's first expedition to Vicksburg, it occupied, 
with credit, a position on the right in the assault; 
and it was in Sherman's expedition up the Arkan- 
sas River, that it distinguished itself in the battle 
of Arkansas Post. It was with Grant during his 
Vicksburg campaign: fought at Magnolia Hills and 



FORTY-EIGHTH 0. V. V. 1. I9I 

Champion Hills, and participated in a general as- 
sault on the rebel works in the rear of Vicksburgj 
May 22d, 1863. 

"On the 25th of June following, another assault 
was made upon the same works, and the 48th was 
ordered to cross an open field, exposed to two en- 
filading batteries, to take position in the advanced 
line of rifle-pits, and to pick off the enemy's gun- 
ners. This order was successfully executed. It 
took a prominent part in the battle of Jackson, 
Mississippi, and soon after engaged in the fight at 
Bayou Teche. At Sabine Cross-Roads, the 48th, 
then a mere remnant of its former self, severely 
punished the " Crescent Regiment; " but in turn 
it was overpowered and captured. It was not ex- 
changed until October, 1864. 

"The majority of the men in the regiment re- 
enlisted, but on account of the capture, they never 
received their veteran furlough. After its ex- 
change, the regiment shared in the capture of Mo- 
bile. 

"After the surrender of the rebel armies, the 
remaining one hundred and sixty-five men of this 
regiment were ordered to Texas. The regiment 
was at last mustered out of service in May, 1866." 



192 msTORV OP THE 

The following testimonials were received ffom 
our Division and Brigade Commanders, in regard 
to the conduct of the 48th while under their im- 
mediate command : 

" Headquarters, Army of the United 
" States, Washington, D. C.j 

" March 26th, 1880. 

*^ MaJ. y» A. Bering and Capt. Thomas Mojitgomeryi 

" Dear Sirs: — I am really indebted to you for the 
pleasure of having the opportunity to read your 
beginning of the " History of the Forty-Eighth 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, " and wish to encourage 
you to go on in the same spirit to the end. 

" I recognize in every page that the writer was one 
of US) that he saw with the eyes of a brave, intelli- 
gent soldier, who meant to do his fall share of 
work, and who now only intends to record his ob- 
servations for the use of his conlradesj and to fur- 
nish authentic materials for the future historians 
of the great events in which the 48th Ohio bore an 
honorable part. 

*' I prefer not to be a critic^ to aJter or change a 
single paragraph, because I believe the great end 
at which we all aim, Truth, is best reached by each 
witness telling his own story in his own way. 

" War consists not only in absolute facts, which 
ought to be absolutely correct, but in feelings and 
opinions at the moment of action, because these 
account for results. I advise you to go on to the 
conclusion in the same spirit you began, and I am 
sure your comrades will be grateful, and the cause 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. T93 

for which we fought will be vindicated by future 
generations. 

"With great respect, your friend, 

" W. T. SHERMAN, General." 



"Washington, D. C, April 7, 1880. 
" Ma/\ J. A. Bering and Capt. Thomas Montgomery. 

" Gentlemen: — I have received your letter of 
the ist inst., also the one hundred pages of your 
History of the 48th Ohio has come to hand, and 
been read with a great deal of interest, as far as it 
is continued. My old Brigade, consisting of the 
48th, 53d, 70th and 72d Regiments Ohio Volun- 
teer Infantry, I had always regarded as equal, in 
all respects, to any brigade I ever met with. It af- 
fords me great pleasure to say, that during the 
time the regiment was in my command, its con- 
duct was excellent. Indeed it has afforded me a 
great pleasure, at all times, to speak in terms of 
high commendation of the officers and men of the 
48th. The discipline and general conduct of the 
Regiment was good, and my personal relations 
with them, the officers and men, were of such a 
character that it has always been a sincere pleas- 
ure to me to meet one of them. 

" I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 
" Your obedient servant, 

"J. W. DENVER, 
"Brig. Gen. U.S. Vols." 



194 HISTORY OF THE 

" Fremont, Ohio, April 5, 1880. 
** Major J. A. Bering and Capt. Thomas Montgomery: 
"Gentlemen: — I have the honor to acknowl- 
edge the receipt of your esteemed favor of the 24th 
ult., and also the first one hundred pages of your 
forthcoming " History of the 48th Ohio. " I have 
read those pages with great interest and satisfac- 
tion, and I take great pleasure in bearing testi- 
mony to the uniform good conduct and unwaver- 
ing valor of the 48th Ohio, both officers and pri- 
vates, that composed a part of the Brigade which 
I had the honor of commanding. All the incidents 
and circumstances of the commencement and 
progress of the terrible battle of Shiloh, are still 
fresh in my memory. At the first alarm, our Brig- 
ade was ordered to form on the color-line, and I 
rode forward to the picket-line and found the en- 
emy advancing in strong force, driving our pickets. 
I immediately rode back through our Brigade-line 
to Gen. Sherman's Headquarters, and informed 
him that I had been to the front and found the 
enemy advancing in great force and our pickets 
falling back, and asked him what orders he had to 
give me. He answered: " You must reinforce the 
pickets and keep the enemy back. " On my re- 
turn, I met Col. Sullivan and Lieut. Col. Parker, 
of the 48th Ohio, riding to meet me, and when I 
informed them what my orders were, they both 
asked permission to take the 48th to the front, 
which I readily assented to, and directed them to 
march their Regiment with as much speed as pos- 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. 1 95 

sible across the bridge immediately in front of the 
Regiment, which was done with the utmost prompt- 
ness. But, as stated in your History, the enemy 
were already forming a line on our side of the 
creek, below the bridge, concealed from our view 
by the high bank. The whole Brigade was at once 
advanced, and the battle commenced in deadly 
earnest all along the line. No more courageous 
fighting was ever done than was done by the 48th, 
70th and 72d Ohio regiments during the next two 
hours. We drove the enemy back repeatedly, and 
held our line until ordered back to the Purdy road. 
I do not think our Brigade has ever received from 
the public the credit it deserved for that first two 
hours' fight. 

" Although our ranks were constantly being ter- 
ribly cut to pieces, there was no flinching in the 
officers or privates. We were ordered by Gen. 
Sherman to hold our position, and were deter- 
mined to do it, and did, until ordered back. I 
consider it the greatest honor of my life that I 
commanded the Fourth Brigade in Gen. Sherman's 
division, composed of the 48th, 70th and 72d Ohio 
regiments, at the great battle of Shiloh. No braver 
men ever defended their country on the battle- 
field. I am, with great respect, 
" Your sincere friend, 

"R P. BUCKLAND, 

"Brig. Gen. U. S. Vols." 



196 HISTORY OF THE 

"Lancaster, Ky., Feb. 6, 1880. 
" Maj. J. A. Bering and Capt. Thos. Montgomery : 

"I regret that it is not in my power to furnish 
copies of my official reports of the engagements 
in which my brigade participated during the war. 
The 48th Ohio was assigned to my command at 
Memphis, Tenn., in December, 1862, and com- 
posed a part of my brigade until after the Red 
River campaign. It participated in the move- 
ment under Gen. W. T. Sherman against Chickasaw 
Bayou, in front of Vicksburg, at Arkansas Post, 
and under Gen. Grant at Port Gibson, Baker's 
Creek, Black River Bridge, the sieges of Vicks- 
burg and Jackson, and under Gen. T. E. G. Ran- 
som, at the battle of Sabine Cross-Roads. In all 
of the engagements named herein, no regiment 
of which I have any knowledge, during the late 
war, bore a more honorable or conspicuous part 
than the 48th Ohio, it was a regiment upon 
which I could depend at all times, and under all 
circumstances, for just what was needed. It was 
under excellent discipline, and always ready at a 
moment's warning, to drill, march, or fight. I 
had no trouble with either officers or men, and 
do not remember an unpleasant word that ever 
passed between myself and any of that command. 

"At the siege of Vicksburg, on the 22d of 
May, they were among the first to reach the in- 
trenchments of the enemy, and planted their flag 
by the side of the 77th and 130th Illinois, upon 
the Confederate works j which portion they held 



FORTY-EIGHTH O. V. V. I. I97 

until recalled late at night, by order of the Corps 
Commander. I was always proud of the Regi- 
ment, and thankful to Gen. A. J. Smith, for giving 
me a command composed of such splendid ma- 
terial. Ohio, Illinois and Kentucky stood side by 
side, and it was a noticeable fact, that whenever 
the enemy got in our way, some of them were 
sure to get hurt, unless they managed to get out 
of it very soon. I always tried hard to take 
good care of the men^ and have them ready for 
any emergency ; and I think the reports of the 
Division, Corps, and Army commanders, will 
show that the old second brigade of Gen. A. J. 
Smith's Division, made a very creditable record 
in the grand old Army of the Tennessee. 
"Very truly yours, 

''W.J. LANDRUM, 
'^Brevet-Brig.-Gen. U. S. Vols." 



THE 



ESCAPE AND RE-CAPTURE 



OF 



m. I. h BtRiNd AND Lityy. W. I. SllOft, 



WITH 



PRISON LIFE 



AT CAMP FORD, TEXAS, 
FROM OCT. I2TH, 1864, TO MAY 17TH, 1865, 



AND 



THE CLOSING SCENES OF THE WAR WEST 
OF THE 3nSSISSIFPI FJVEB. 



By J. A. BERING, 
Late Major 48TH Reg't. Ohio Vols. 



The Escape and Re-Capture. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE ESCAPE. 



Preparing Rations — The Forged Pass — Concealed in Sight 
of Prison—" Ten O'Clock and All's Well "—Crossing 
the Sabine River — Crossing the Bridge at the Mill — 
The Blood-Hounds on Our Trail — Run Into a Trap — 
Hounds Baffled — Escape — Man with a Gun — Passing 
Around a Village — An All Night Tramp — Moonlight 
View of the Country — Hounds on the Trail Again — 
Narrow Escape from the Hounds — Parching Corn Un- 
der Difficulties — Lost in a Dark Swamp — Waiting for 
the Moon to Rise. 

HJpHE Regiment had served four months in prison 
yife since our capture, and the month of August, 
with its hot and sultry days, had arrived, which, 
with the smoke of the hundreds of fires, made the 
over-crowded prison-pen ten fold more uncomfort- 
able than during the preceding months. Up to 
this time we had submitted to our fate with a calm 
resignation, for the reason that we had received 
our daily allowance of favorable exchange rumors, 
(received principally via "grape-vine lines, ") but 
faint hearts began to complain of " hope deferred, " 
when the rebel papers brought the cheering intel- 



202 THE ESCAPE' 

ligence that, " owing to the difficulty in regard to 
the exchange of negro soldiers, there would be no 
more exchange of prisoners " The prospect of a 
speedy exchange was all that induced me to re- 
main in Camp Ford, but my last hope had now 
departed; therefore my mind was speedily made up 
to leave the prison at the first favorable opportu- 
nity. After a consultation with Lieut. W. J. Srofe, 
of my Regiment, we agreed to undertake the trip 
together. We had, however, scarcely made the pre- 
liminary arrangements for the journey, when we 
received the information that the rebels were go- 
ing to send us hundreds of miles into the interior 
of Texas, and they did partly execute the threat 
by sending 600 of our number to Hempstead, 250 
miles south west. This event nerved us up to 
prompt action, but we had a difficult task before 
us, as many re-captured Union soldiers can testify. 

At prison headquarters they kept a pack of blood- 
hounds, with which they circled around the stock- 
ade, if they discovered that any one had escaped. 
But, even if successful in getting away from the 
prison hounds, we had to travel hundreds of miles 
to our lines, through a strange and hostile country; 
yet, in spite of all these difficulties and disadvanta- 
ges we were determined to make an effort to gain our 
liberty, let the consequences be what they might. 

Before that important step could be taken, a 
great many arrangements had to be made. We 
had to procure butternut clothes to wear, in order 
to pass for rebel soldiers, when necessary. We 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 203 

also had our maps of the country to copy; to bake 
crackers, dry our beef, etc., until about the 17th of 
August, when everything was in readiness. The 
route that we considered the ipgigt favorable was 
to strike for Little ■ Rock, Ark., distant 300 miles 
north-east. 

We then made arrangements with Robert Bar- 
nett, of my Regiment, fwho was a kind of trader 
and smuggler between us and the guards,) to bribe 
a sentry to let us out after night. I did not like 
the idea of getting out in that manner, but that 
seemed to be our only chance. My plan was to 
forge a pass and go out, but that week no one was 
permitted to go out of the stockade, pass or no 
pass; therefore, the only feasible plan was to bribe 
a guard to let us out after night. 

Barnett succeeded in making arrangements for 
us two or three nights in succession, but when the 
time came for action, the guards had either been 
removed, or they were watched so closely that we 
could not carry out our plan. At the same time I 
felt rather uncomfortable, when I reflected upon 
the idea of trusting myself in a rebel's hands. I 
was afraid of treachery, as they had, on several oc- 
casions, accepted bribes to let prisoners out, and 
when they had their pay, they would fire on those 
whose bribes they had taken. 

On the morning of the 20th, the Colonel com- 
manding issued passes again, to let a few out at a 
time. I borrowed one, and hastily made an exact 
copy of it. The most difficult matter now was to 



204 THE ESCAPE 

get our two haversacks, filled with dried beef and 
crackers, outside of the prison, as we dared not be 
seen with them when we were ready to leave. The 
custom of the prison commander was to let ten 
men out each day with the wood-wagon, to cut and 
load the fuel that was hauled into the stockade. 
They had to give th&ir parole that they would not 
escape while at work. 

The men that were to go out that day were mem- 
bers of Lieut. Srofe's company, and he arranged to 
go out with them. When they were ready to start, 
they came to our shanty, and we gave each one of 
them a portion of our provisions, which they hid 
about their persons. After they arrived in the 
woods, our rations were put in the haversacks and 
hid in a tree-top, about half a mile east from the 
prison. At noon, Lieut. Srofe returned with his par- 
ty, and after partaking of a hasty dinner, we bade 
farewell to our most intimate friends, who knew 
our plans, and started for the prison-gate. On 
presenting our pass to the sentinel, Lieut. Srofe and 
myself were permitted to pass out of the stockade. 

We had decided beforehand, that if we succeed- 
ed in getting out, we would go to the prison hos- 
pital, which was about a quarter of a mile west of 
the stockade, in charge of our own nurses, and 
remain there until evening. To reach the hos- 
pital, we had to pass by the quarters of the prison 
commander. He was sitting in front of his office 
as we passed by, but he was not aware how we got 
out. We were scarcely out of sight, however, 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 205 

when he sent orders to the guards not to allow any 
more out that day, whether they had passes or not. 
He supposed his adjutant had issued too many 
passes for one day. After reaching the hospital, 
by the advice of a slave, we procured two large 
pieces of soap, to rub our feet with, if the hounds 
should get on our track. We did not consider it 
safe to remain in the hospital until evening, 
therefore decided to go into the woods and con- 
ceal ourselves until night. We selected a place 
near a large field, about one mile west of the pris- 
on, and hid in the brush until dark. 

We now had a difficult task to perform, to circle 
around the rebel camp and find our rations, which 
Lieut. Srofe had hid that morning, half a mile east 
of the prison, and at the same time avoid the rebel 
pickets, stationed around in the woods. We suc- 
ceeded in passing around the rebel camp, where 
about 600 Confederate guards were quartered, 
without meeting with any accident. 

We were guided altogether by the noise from 
the prison, which sounded like the hum of a large 
city. When we reached the neighborhood in 
which Lieut. Srofe thought he had concealed the 
provisions, we began to search for our haversacks, 
but there were many tree-tops lying around, audit 
being very dark, it was a difficult task to find the 
right one. The guards at the prison called out: 
" Eight o'clock, and all's well, " and then " Nine 
o'clock, and all's well, " and still we had not found 
our rations. We began to get discouraged, al- 



206 THE ESCAPE 

though we knew that we could not be a great dis- 
tance from them, for the reason that we had found 
some of the crackers which had been dropped in 
the morning. After a short rest we began the 
search again, and just as the guards called out, 
*• Ten o'clock, and all's well, " Lieut. Srofe called 
me, saying : " I have found our haversacks. " 

We were so overjoyed at finding our provisions, 
that we did not hear any one coming up be- 
hind us, until they were so near that we could not 
run and hide, but dropped flat on the ground as 
quick as possible. The next moment two men on 
horseback galloped by, not more than ten feet from 
where we lay. After procuring our rations, we went 
to a small stream near by, and ate our supper. 

We were now ready for a three hundred mile 
tramp, which finally turned out to be nearer six 
hundred. Each one had a butternut suit and a 
haversack, and between us, one case-knife, one tin 
cup, one tin plate, for parching corn, one box of 
matches, pencil and paper, to keep a diary of our 
travels. Each of us also had a map of Texas and 
Arkansas, which we had copied. 

After finishing our supper, we traced up the 
north star, and took a north-east course for the 
land of freedom; but we soon found traveling 
through the dark woods, with only the stars to 
guide us, slow and tedious. After traveling two 
or three miles, we struck a creek bottom, covered 
with vines, briars and fallen timber. Our clothes 
received rough handling, and the north star was 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 207 

not to be seen very often, through the tall pines. 
Our first object now was to get out of the woods 
into the cleared land, or on a road, as we were now 
well convinced that little progress could be made 
by traveling through the forest at night. After 
searching around for two or three hours, we struck 
a path which led us into one of the main roads, 
and fortunately it ran north-east. There was noth- 
ing now to prevent us from making rapid progress 
on our journey. 

During the night we passed six plantations; but 
being afraid to pass by them on the road, we cir- 
cled around to the rear of the houses, and then 
struck the road again. When we arrived at the 
seventh, it was near daylight, and being consider- 
ably worn out, we passed around to a piece of 
timber in the rear of the buildings, then hid under 
some bushes in a fence-corner, and laid down on 
the ground to sleep. We supposed we had trav- 
eled about eleven miles during the night, and were 
now about that distance from the stockade. 

All of our subsequent calculations in regard to 
the distance traveled, were based on our three 
years experience of marching in the army, and by 
referring to our maps, when we came to large 
streams. How near correct our estimates were of 
the distance traveled, will be shown at the end 
of the journey. 

When we awoke in the morning, Sunday, Aug. 
2ist, we were very chilly, as it was foggy and damp. 
We built a fire, parched some corn, and ate break- 



208 THE ESCAPE 

fast. We thought it best to commence on parch- 
ed corn, the first day, to save our dried beef and 
crackers. At about 8 o'clock, A. M., we heard the 
voices of some persons coming toward us. We be- 
gan to get uneasy; nearer and nearer they came; I 
raised up cautiously and looked around, when I 
saw a man, woman, and a little boy, coming di- 
rectly toward us. 

It was too late to get away, so we gave up our 
cause as lost. I kept my eyes on them until they 
were nearly opposite us, walking along a path 
about fifteen feet from where we were concealed. 
I gave up all hope of escape, and buried my face 
in my hands. It was hard to give up so soon. But 
strange to say, they passed by without seeing us, 
and after they had passed a short distance, they 
turned to the fence, and commenced picking wild 
grapes, and talking very busily the whole time. As 
soon as they were out of sight, we gathered up our 
haversacks and ran into the woods, and hid in the 
underbrush. 

Our night's travel and morning adventure con- 
vinced us that the task we had before us was beset 
with danger and difficulties, and that it would re- 
quire all our cunning, energy and patience, to be 
successful in our undertaking. That Sunday 
proved to be a very long day to us. We conversed 
with each other, but not above a whisper; tried to 
sleep, but could not — too much excitement. We 
found it very tiresome to remain in one place all 
day, we therefore concluded to travel in the day 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 209 

time after that, by traveling only in the woods and 
keeping a sharp look-out for any one that hap- 
pened to be abroad. 

In the evening we left our hiding-place, and in 
a short time struck the same road that we had 
turned off from in the morning. We followed it 
until about nine o'clock, P. M., when we came to 
a mill, where the road crossed the creek on a bridge 
which was attached to the mill. We heard per- 
sons talking within, therefore did not venture too 
near, but turned off to the right in a heavy-tim- 
bered bottom, thinking that we could circle around 
it to avoid crossing on the bridge. After trying in 
vain for about an hour to make the circuit, we 
came back very cautiously and crossed on the 
bridge. 

At about eleven o'clock, P. M., we reached Sa- 
bine river. We rolled a log into the stream, then 
one of us would get at one end of the log and swim 
to the opposite shore with it, while the other would 
hold to the log with one hand, and with the other 
hold our provisions out of the water. We made 
five trips before we had our clothes and rations 
over. After we had crossed, we had some diffi- 
culty in passing around some persons that were 
camped by the roadside. At about two o'clock, 
A. M., we turned off into the woods to remain un- 
til daylight — distance traveled, twelve miles. 

August 2 2d, at daybreak, we were awakened by 
the yelping of hounds on our track. We sprang to 
our feet, grasped our haversacks and started off at 



210 THE ESCAPE 

the top of our speed. At one time we thought 
that they had lost our trail, but we soon discovered 
that we were very much mistaken. About every 
half-hour we would rub soap on the bottom of our 
shoes, and on the grass. Whenever they^teached 
such a spot, it checked them for some time. The 
race continued until about eleven o'clock, A. M., 
when we came to a small piece of woods in the 
shape of a triangle, with cleared land all around 
it, excepting one of the angles that joined the 
woods we were in, and a number of buildings on 
the opposite side. Not knowing what was ahead 
of us, we entered this piece of timber; but we soon 
found that we could not cross the fields in sight of 
the houses, and to return the way we came would 
take us back towards the hounds, who were now 
gaining on us fast. We had, unknowingly, run 
into a trap. To pass by the houses was certain 
capture, or to turn back the way we came in, and 
get over into the adjoining woods, was equally 
hazardous, but we had no time to lose, and our 
only hope seemed to be to get back into the main 
woods before the hounds cut off our retreat. We 
started back, running at full speed, to reach the 
entrance before the hounds. It was like running 
into our own destruction, and at every yelp of the 
hounds, my heart thumped so loud that I thought 
I could almost hear it. Fortunately, we gained the 
entrance first, but had scarcely entered the adjoin- 
ing woods, when the whole pack of hounds went 
howling into the piece of timber that we had just 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 211 

left, and the hunters on horseback, yelling, brought 
up the rear. We heard the dogs for some time af- 
terward, but did not know whether they followed 
us any longer or not. No doubt they thought we 
were concealed about the negro quarters, and 
searched for us until they became tired, and then 
gave up the chase. 

In the afternoon we concluded to halt and take 
a rest, as we were nearly exhausted, having travel- 
ed about fifteen miles on a run, since daylight, and 
not tasted anything since the evening before. We 
built a fire and parched some corn, and after a 
few hours rest we started again. One would gen- 
erally take the lead, and keep the direction of the 
sun, while the other followed, a short distance be- 
hind. Towards evening, after crossing a small 
stream, we struck a road that led north-east, so we 
concluded to wait until night, then follow it. 

As soon as it was sufficiently dark to venture out, 
we pursued our journey until we came to a road 
that we thought ran more directly north-east than 
the one we were on. We turned off and followed 
it for about half a mile, when it terminated at a 
plantation. We then circled completely around 
the buildings, but the road was nowhere to be 
found, which convinced us that it was only a pri- 
vate road, leading to the plantation. Turning 
back, we took the main road again, and traveled 
until towards morning, then turned off into the 
woods to rest^ distance traveled that day, twenty- 
five miles. 



212 THE ESCAPE 

August 23d, we Started at daylight and traveled 
but a short distance, when we hid in a tree-top for 
the day. Some noisy children came into the woods 
and routed us out several times, but they did not 
discover us. We left at dark, and met two per- 
sons early in the evening, but concealed ourselves 
before they discovered us. Soon afterward, a man 
on horseback, with a gun in his hands, galloped 
furiously by. He came on us so suddenly that 
there was no time to hide; we therefore dropped 
flat on the ground by the road-side until he had 
passed. 

The road which we were on did not suit us, as 
it ran in every direction except the way we wanted 
to travel — north-east. Finally it terminated in a 
road that ran east and west. Taking an eastern 
direction, we came to a small village. In trying 
to circle around it, we ran into a wagon-maker's 
shop. It was quite dark, for the moon had not 
risen yet; we tried to find a road that would take 
us north-east; we found one that ran north, and 
followed it for several miles, when it turned south, 
and intersected the old road again. At last we 
found a road that took us north-east, through a 
rich country, and by the light of the moon, which 
now shone nearly as bright as day, we could see 
the country for miles. We continued our journey 
until near morning before we halted; distance, 
twenty miles. 

At daylight, August 24th, we found ourselves in 
an exposed position. We therefore hid in a large 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 213 

green tree-top, that was lying on the ground near 
by, and went to sleep again. Just as the sun rose, 
Lieut. Srofe awoke me, saying: "The hounds are 
on our track again !" On, on they came, yelping 
and howling as on a former occasion. They were 
too close on us to attempt to get away from them 
this time, and what made the matter worse, there 
were no small trees close by to climb, out of their 
reach, so we laid still, awaiting our fate. 

When the hounds got opposite us, instead of 
turning off into the woods from the road, as we had 
done, they kept straight ahead. It was quite evi- 
dent after they had passed us, that they were off 
our track. They now quit barking, but kept run- 
ning around in every direction. Presently two 
men on horseback came up, blowing their hunter's 
horns and urging up the dogs. When we saw them 
pass by, we took courage and started off in an op- 
posite direction as fast as we could run. We had, 
however, proceeded but a short distance, when we 
heard them coming after us, with the old yelp. It 
now became an exciting race, and our re-capture 
seemed to be only a question of time. Rubbing 
soap on the bottom of our shoes did excellent ser- 
vice again, in breaking the scent of the hounds. 
Whenever we reached a stream we dashed into the 
water, and followed its course for a considerable 
distance, for the purpose of misleading the dogs. 
Twice we were about to give ourselvesup, but each 
time, after taking a short rest, we started off to try 
it once more. For the third time we halted. Pant- 



214 THE ESCAPE 

ing, and almost out of breath, we stood by the 
small trees that we had selected to climb, out of 
reach of the hounds. Our preparations to surren- 
der were completed, and the hounds were gaining 
on us fast, when I asked Lieut. Srofe the question: 
"Camp Ford, or Little Rock ?" His answer came 
quick, "Little Rock!" and grasping his haversack, 
he started at the top of his speed, and I followed 
after. 

It was nearly noon when we struck a bayou. We 
found a shallow place and waded to the opposite 
shore. After we had crossed, we felt secure, with 
such a large body of water between us and our pur- 
suers, and our trail obliterated where we entered 
the bayou. They now began to lose ground, and 
finally the baying of the hounds ceased altogether. 
Being very hungry, and nearly run down, we se- 
lected the first favorable locality, built a fire, and 
parched some corn. While thus busily engaged, 
we heard some persons approaching and talking 
very loud. We had no more than put out our fire 
and hid ourselves, when two men passed near by, 
without, however, discovering us. A short time 
afterwards, a hunting party returned to the prison, 
and reported that they had killed a Yankee Ma- 
jor and a Lieutenant, across the Sabine river ! 

We started again at dark and followed the road 
for a few hours, when it entered a very dark and 
gloomy-looking swamp. We could only keep in 
the road by following the wagon-ruts. Finally, 
the road terminated at a small patch of corn, in a 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 215 

clearing, in the midst of a heavy-timbered bottom. 
We groped around on our hands and knees, trying 
to find a road that would take us farther, but all in 
vain. At last we decided to lay down and snatch 
a few hours sleep until the moon rose. We awoke 
when the moon was about half an hour high. It 
was now light, compared to what it had been, but 
still we could find no road that would take us any 
farther. We then retraced our steps, and soon 
struck a road that we had missed before, which 
took us north-east. We knew now that we were 
nearing a large stream, from the quantity of water 
around us. Near daylight we found that we were 
correct. The stream proved to be Little Cypress 
River, distance twenty miles. 



2l6 THE ESCAPE 



CHAPTER II. 

Making a Raft — Crossing Little Cypress — Wading the 
Overflowed Bottoms — Crossing Big Cypress — Crossing 
Sulphur Fork — Wading and Swimming — Pass for a 
Rebel Deserter — Begging for Something to Eat — Re- 
lating Camp Rumors — Journey Interrupted by Rain — 
Capturing a Slave on a Mule — In the Indian Territory 

— Out of Our Course — Conversation with Three Slaves 

— The First Dinner — Carried Down the Stream — A 
Night Among the Owls and Mosquitos — Fording Little 
River. 

^UGUST 25th, made a raft and crossed at sun- 
rise. The raft was made by tying two logs 
together with grape-vines, then we made a plat- 
form of short pieces of wood, on which we tied 
our clothes, rations, matches, etc., and swimming 
alongside, pushed it across the stream. During 
the day we saw a man chopping wood, but fortu- 
nately were not seen by him. In the afternoon 
we traveled through woods, covered with small 
mounds, and saw quite a number of deer of all 
sizes. We had thought of resting all night, but 
toward evening a small boy passed us on horse- 
back, in consequence of which we traveled until 
near morning. Distance, twenty-five miles. 

August 26th, at daylight, we pursued our jour- 
ney, and traveled through an almost impenetra- 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 217 

ble Texas cbapparal. We found some splendid 
grapes, which partly paid us for our torn clothes. 
At about 8 o'clock A. M. we came to a bottom 
covered with water, through which we waded for 
about a mile, when we reached the banks of Big 
Cypress. The heavy rains up the river, the week 
previous, had overflowed all the river bottoms. 
We made a raft and crossed at 9 o'clock A. M. 
and found plenty of grapes on the opposite shore. 
We rested during the middle of the day, and 
parched more corn. 

We had not traveled far, after we resumed our 
journey, until we struck another bottom, covered 
waist-deep with water, which gave evidence of 
another stream ahead. After wading in a short 
distance, we were compelled to turn back, the 
water being too deep to wade. We then retraced 
our steps and followed the base of the hills to the 
north, in search of a better place to reach the 
banks of the stream. After traveling a few hours, 
we were so fortunate as to find dry ground leading 
to the river. It proved to be Sulphur Fork of Red 
River, which was wider than any stream we had 
crossed before. We made a raft and crossed it 
about 4 o'clock P. M. 

When we reached the opposite side, we could 
scarcely find a dry place to land, all the surround- 
ing bottoms being covered with water. While 
going through the cane-brake, we had to part the 
cane with our hands, and then crowd ourselves 
through as best we could, the water, most of the 



2l8 THE ESCAPE 

time, being waist-deep. On we dragged our 
weary limbs, until we came to a deep place, where 
we had to swim, by way of change. The sun was 
sinking in the west, but we were still wading 
through water, mud and mire, with no better pros- 
pect of a dry bed for the night than to climb a 
tree, and wait for the coming day. 

The sun had set, and night was fast approach- 
ing, when we struck the upland, having traveled 
a distance of twenty-three miles that day. I will 
not attempt to describe our feelings when we step- 
ped from the water to dry land. Suffice it to say, 
that we did not travel far until we laid down for 
the night and slept soundly, considering that our 
clothing was thoroughly saturated with water. 

August 27th, we awoke in the morning, stiff and 
sore, which wore off as we traveled on. We saw 
a woman going through the woods, but were not 
seen by her. This proved to be the hottest day 
of our trip, and we had less protection from the 
scorching sun, as the country was almost destitute 
of timber. In the afternoon we struck the sand- 
barrens, which were entirely destitute of water to 
drink. We were so overcome by the heat and 
thirst, that we were unable to proceed on our 
journey. On examining our canteens, we found 
that we had one pint of water left, which we 
shared equally, and concealed ourselves in the 
undergrowth for the rest of the day. 

Toward evening,, the want of water drove us 
from our resting-place. We determined now, at 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 219 

all hazards, to follow the first bed of a stream until 
we found water to allay our burning thirst. We 
soon struck the bed of quite a large creek, but no 
water. It was completely dried up. We followed 
its windings until near midnight, when we found a 
small stagnant pool in the bed of the stream. 
Here we halted and drank to our heart's content, 
and for fear we might suffer for water during the 
night, we concluded to remain there until morn- 
ing, having traveled about sixteen miles that day. 

August 28th. This was the ninth day out; and 
we supposed that we were about one hundred and 
fifty miles north-east from Camp Ford, but were 
not certain, as we had not spoken to any one since 
we left the stockade. We had our maps ready 
for reference, if we could only find out the name 
of any town near us. To learn that, I agreed to 
stop at the first house, and inquire of the slaves 
what neighborhood we were in. At ten o'clock 
A. M., we came to a house in the woods, and I 
saw some persons that I took to be slaves, but 
found out afterwards that I was mistaken. 

I had settled the matter in my mind how I 
would talk to them, but had not calculated on 
meeting white people. We were well aware that 
we could rely on the blacks for assistance, but 
had to give the whites as wide a berth as possible. 
But, to be prepared for any emergency, I went 
north of the house, and passed by to the south, as 
though I was going to Texas instead of north. 
Just as I came in sight of the house, I saw two 



220 THE ESCAPE 

white men and several women and children, sit- 
ting at the door. They saw me before I did 
them, so there was no alternative but to stop and 
get out ^ of the difficulty the best way I could. 
This was something I was not prepared for, and 
there was no time to lose in inventing some 
plausible story, as the house was not more than 
fifty yards distant. 

As I approached to where they were sitting, I 
began to fan myself vigorously with my old 
straw hat. The perspiration was oozing out at 
every pore, from mere excitement. I bid them the 
time of day, which they returned, and invited me 
to take a seat. I made a few trifling remarks 
about the weather ; they, however, did not seem 
to pay much attention to what I said, but stared 
at me in a manner which seemed to say : "Well, 
who are you?" Finally a perfect silence pre- 
vailed. I was still fanning, and they were star- 
ing. The suspense and silence began to make 
me nervous, sol thought, "now or never." 

I commenced by asking : "How far is it to 
Washington ?" I thought there was a town in 
that vicinity by that name. One of them replied : 
"It is about thirteen miles down to Washington." 
I knew from my map where I was, so I began to 
have more confidence. I then told them that I 
belonged to a Texas regiment, at Arkadelphia, 
Arkansas, and that my mother, who lived in Hen- 
derson, Texas, and was a widow, had sent for me 
to come home on business, and that as I could not 



• AND RE-CAPTURE. 221 

get a furlough, I had determined to go home on 
my own responsibility, attend to my affairs, and 
then return to my regiment. If they wished, they 
could have me arrested as a deserter, and sent 
back, but I would get home some time. Besides, 
my captain told me that if I hurried back, there 
would be nothing said about it. I awaited anx- 
iously to see what effect my story would have on 
them. It seemed to take very well. One remark- 
ed that I was rather bold about it. The other said 
they were not near as hard on deserters as they 
used to be, and I thought from his looks that he 
spoke from personal experience. 

They no v asked me the news in camp. I made 
up a batch of stories for the occasion, but told 
them they were mere camp rumors, and that you 
could not believe anything you heard these days. 
I then said I would like to have something to eat. 
The old man said he did not know about that. If 
his neighbors knew that he was harboring desert- 
ers, it would go hard with him. I had no more 
than made the request, when the lady of the house, 
a middle-aged woman, with a remarkably large 
group of children around her, started out the back- 
way, and soon returned with a loaf of corn bread, 
and a large tin of buttermilk. As soon as it was 
handed to me, I began to demolish the corn-bread, 
and looking up, saw the whole crowd staring at 
me in silence. I felt embarrassed, and feared that 
they suspected I was an escaped Union prisoner. 
The only thing suspicious about my conversation 



222 THE ESCAPE 

was, that when I was asked when I left Arkadel- 
phia, I replied, " the day before yesterday. " I 
found out afterwards, that we were one hundred 
miles from that place. I concluded that I had 
better be going, and remarked that I wanted to be 
traveling before it got much hotter, and requested 
them to point out the direction I should take to go 
to Washington. The old man went so far as to go 
part of the way into the woods, to put me on the 
right course. I went in the given direction until I 
got out of his sight, then circled round to where 
Lieut. Srofe was hid in a brush-heap, awaiting my 
return. In a few words, I told him what I had 
seen and heard. We hastily examined our maps, 
and found the exact locality we were in. We had 
kept our general course well, and had traveled 157 
miles since we left the prison. 

We now concluded to make very fast time, and 
get out of that neighborhood, to keep out of the 
way of the hounds. We had not proceeded very 
far when it began to cloud up, and soon the rain 
came pattering down upon us. With the sun hid* 
den from our view, we could not travel to any pur- 
pose, so we sat down on a log, with our coats thrown 
over our heads, and took the rain from about noon 
until nearly dark, without any intermission. As 
soon as it had ceased raining, we built a shelter of 
pine boughs, and then a fire, parched corn, and put 
up for the night. Distance traveled, fourteen miles. 

The following morning, August 29th, we discov* 
ered a log cabin within sight of our shelter, there- 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 223 

fore we made haste to get out of that vicinity. Af- 
ter traveling several hours, we crossed an unfinish- 
ed railroad track, and soon after reached the Red 
River. We made a raft, and crossed at 8 o'clock, 
A. M. On reaching the opposite shore, we found 
a swamp, covered witli a rank undergrowth of ev- 
ery description, but we made every effort to get 
out on the upland as soon as possible. After 
creeping through cane-brakes, briars, vines and 
burs, for about an hour and a half, we struck the 
same river again that we had crossed. We follow- 
ed the river to the north, until it made a direct 
turn to the west; we then turned off to the east, 
through a dense cane-brake, to make sure of leav- 
ing the stream behind us, and striking the upland. 
In about one hour's travel we came to the same 
river once more, near a house, situated on the 
bank ofthestream. This was rather discouraging. 
It was now near noon, and we had crossed the 
river at 8 o'clock that morning, and had traveled 
ever since without resting, and yet had made no 
progress. It was evident now that we were lost 
in the river bottoms, and in the windings of the 
stream could not find our way out. We, however, 
took our north-east course once more by the sun, 
and passed through an extensive swamp, terminat- 
ing at last in a comparatively large lake. After 
crossing this with some difiiculty, we found our- 
selves in an open country. At about 2 o'clock P. 
M., we halted to rest and dry our provisions, at the 
same time hiding under a thicket of Osage Orange. 



224 THE ESCAPE 

We supposed that here we would be safe from 
all intrusion, but we had scarcely laid down when 
we heard some one approaching us. Nearer and 
nearer he came; we could not run, not knowing 
what direction to take to get away from the threat- 
ened danger. I raised up, and began to look 
around cautiously, when I saw a negro on a 
mule, coming directly toward us. I crawled up 
in the bushes to where I thought he would have to 
pass, then, as soon as he came within my reach, 
I ordered him to halt. At the same time I caught 
his mule by the bridle. The slave was so scared at 
my sudden appearance that he trembled from head 
to foot, and could not answer my questions for 
some time. I asked him the name of the nearest 
town; he said he did not know, and did not know 
the name of any town anywhere. I then asked 
him how far around there he was acquainted; he 
replied, " about ten miles. " 

There was a poor prospect of finding out our 
whereabouts from him. After telling him we were 
runaway Yankees, and making him promise that 
he would not tell any person that he had seen us, 
I was about to let him go, when I asked him where 
he lived. He said, "about three miles on the State 
Line road." I asked him, "what State Line?" He 
replied, "Between Arkansas and the Indian Terri- 
tory." We knew, then, exactly what locality we 
were in. We had missed our course by going too 
far west, and had strayed over into the Choctaw 
Reservation. Before he left he warned us not to 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 225 

go too far to our left, because there were a lot of 
soldiers over there. 

After we had gained all the information we could 
from him, we let him go. When we found we were 
out of our course, we did not tarry long to rest, but 
started off due east. Towards evening, we ran 
against ten or fifteen slaves in a field, gathering 
corn. We turned back into the woods, and tried 
to circle around the plantation, by keeping in the 
timber; but we had to give up that plan, as we 
could see the cleared land on either side of us for 
miles; therefore our only chance was to cross the 
fields, in sight of the dwelling-houses on our right 
and left. We succeeded in creeping along the 
fence and through the weeds, into the woods on 
the opposite side, without being seen. We travel- 
ed until nine o' clock that night, and then rested 
until morning, having traveled that day a distance 
of eighteen miles. 

August 30th, we started at daylight and had 
traveled but a short distance, when it began to 
cloud up, with strong indications of rain. As we 
could not keep in our course without seeing the 
sun, we waited until noon, when it cleared off. At 
the first glimpse of the sun, we started on our jour- 
ney. After traveling a short time, we came across 
a lot of green timber, that evidently had been cut 
down that day, and on looking around, saw three 
slaves watching us, not more than a hundred yards 
off. We concluded that the best plan would be to 
go and tell them who we were, and caution them 



226 THE ESCAPE 

against telling any one that they had seen us. On 
asking them the name of the nearest town, we were 
told that they lived in Rocky Comfort, Arkansas, 
which was four miles west from there. They also 
gave us the cheering information that four run- 
away Yankees had been caught in that neighbor- 
hood the week previous. We asked them if they 
could give us something to eat. They examined 
their dinner-basket, and found that there was about 
a pound of bacon and a piece of corn-bread left, 
which they gave us. We divided it equally, and 
inmediately commenced devouring the fat bacon, 
while the slaves looked on in amazement. 

After making them promise not to mention hav- 
ing seen us, we pursued our journey. About an 
hour afterwards, we came near running against an 
old man on horseback, before we saw him. All that 
we could do was to drop flat on the bare ground, 
there being no brush of any kind near. We were 
in great danger of being seen, but although he 
passed very near us, he did not look in our direc- 
tion. He appeared to be in a deep study, neither 
looking to the right nor left. 

We struck a road towards evening, and rested 
until night, then followed it through a large plan- 
tation, which we entered through a gate, swung 
across the road. About ten o'clock that night, we 
came to a small, but very rapid stream. I waded 
into the water, but found it too deep and swift to 
cross at that point, and in trying to get back to 
the bank, the force of the stream carried me down 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 227 

into the swift, foamy current. After some difficul- 
ty, I managed to get on shore. In the second at- 
tempt, we crossed without any further mishap. 

The road, which seemed much lower than its 
surroundings, now wound through a dark and 
dreary swamp, covered with water, which made 
traveling disagreeable and tiresome. When splash- 
ing through the water, we knew that we were in 
the road; when we struck dry land we knew that 
we were off the track; therefore had to search for 
the water again. We traveled on until near morn- 
ing — longer than we wished to, but we were anx- 
ious to strike the upland before we halted, and get 
out of the water and away from the millions of 
mosquitos; but we could not accomplish impossi- 
bilities, and were bbliged to drop down by the 
road-side, to await the coming day. 

To sleep was out of the question, with the mos- 
quitos innumerable and as ravenous as wolves, 
while the frogs and owls were making night hide- 
ous with their cries. To protect us from the mos- 
quitos, we gathered a large pile of pine boughs, 
then crawled underneath them, to await the 
coming morning. The memory of that night's 
suffering, I will never forget. Distance traveled, 
eighteen miles. 

August 31st, at the first signs of day, we were up 
and gone. In a short time we saw a house, where 
a woman stood at the gate, calling up the hogs, 
but we passed around to the rear of the building 
without being seen. We crossed a dense swamp, 



228 THE ESCAPE 

and forded Little River in the forenoon. We 
traveled until about nine o'clock that night, when 
we entered another swamp, covered with water, 
similar to the one we had passed through the eve- 
ning before. Finding too much water ahead, we 
turned back, picked out a dry spot, and put up for 
the night. Distance that day, twenty-three miles. 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 229 



CHAPTER III. 

RE-CAPTURED. 

The Arkansas Hills — The Hum of the Spinning-Wheel — 
The Last JNIatch — Roast Pumpkin and Parched Corn — 
Almost Home — Re-Captured — Bound With Ropes — 
A Retrograde Movement — Another Unfortunate Yan- 
kee — On Exhibition — Entertained by Young Ladies — 
The Old Lady's Lecture on the War — Sent to Wash- 
ington, Arkansas — The Guests in the Parlor — In the 
Court House — Offer of "Jewelry " — Rebel Officers on a 
Spree — On the Road to Camden — Battle-Field of Prairie 
d' Ann — Eating Two Days' Rations for Supper — Slaugh- 
ter of the Colored Troops- — No Quarter. 

SEPTEMBER ist. We started at daybreak, 
^S and made another attempt to get through the 
swamp before us. After a two hours' tramp we 
reached cleared land, and found plenty of grapes 
and muscadines. We forded a stream at about 8 
o'clock, A. M., and reached the Arkansas hills 
about an hour afterward. In traveling through 
the woods we could hear the hum of the spinning- 
wheel, at intervals, on all sides, which enabled us 
to give the houses on our route as wide a berth as 
necessary. That day we heard more of them than 
usual, on account of the country being more thick- 
ly settled. 

About noon, we halted at a small creek, near a 



230 THE ESCAPE 

corn-field. By referring to our maps, we found we 
were 225 miles from the prison, and about 75 miles 
from Little Rock, Arkansas. Lieut. Srofe made a 
fire with the last match, while I procured some 
corn from an adjoining field, of which we parched 
a sufficient quantity to last us until we would reach 
our lines, which we thought, if nothing happened, 
would take us betv/een three and four days. Feel- 
ing confident of success, we even talked of what 
we would eat and drink when we got through, and 
the good times we were going to have generally. 
We Avere also going to do all we could to have the 
poor fellows released, whom we had left in Texas. 
But such is the uncertainty of human calculations. 

After v/e had finished parching corn, we attempt- 
ed to eat a roasted pumpkin, in which, hungry as 
we were, we failed. We now pursued our journey 
once more, in high spirits, and traveled far into 
the night before we halted, a distance, in all, of 
twenty-three miles. 

September 2d, we were on the road bright and 
early, and halted at a cool spring at 7 o'clock A. 
M. We, however, did not tarry long, being now 
in a hurry to get home. An hour afterward, while 
traveling through the woods, we discovered a road 
ahead of us, which crossed our route. We were 
about fifty yards from it, when we halted to listen. 
Hearing a wagon coming on our left, we held a 
hurried consultation, whether to attempt to cross 
the road before the wagon came in sight, or to run 
back and hide in the underbrush until it had pass- 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 23I 

ed by. Knowing that we could not cross the road 
without being seen, we ran back a short distance 
and hid in the brush. 

The wagon came rumbling along slowly, and 
when opposite us I looked up cautiously, and saw 
two men in it, busily engaged in conversation, and 
slashing the whip at the oxen they were driving. I 
was convinced that they had not seen us, so I laid 
down again to wait until they were out of sight, 
before we would venture any farther. They had 
passed but a short distance, however, when they 
halted. We thought they might have broken some- 
thing about their wagon, and had stopped to repair 
it. They were still talking very loud, when we 
heard some one approaching through the brush 
toward us. I began to feel uneasy, and raised up 
cautiously to see what was going on. As I looked 
up, I saw a rebel on a mule, with his gun pointed 
toward us, not more than thirty yards off. At the 
same time he ordered us to " come out o' thar ! " 
Had a thunderbolt from a clear sky descended in 
our midst, it could not have dumbfounded us more 
completely. In the meantime the rebel had low- 
ered his gun; but as we did not stir, he raised it 
once more, and again ordered us to " come out o' 
thar !" I requested him not to shoot — that we 
would surrender. He then ordered us to march 
to the wagon, where the two men were awaiting 
our arrival. 

My first question to them was, *' how did you 
happen to see us when you passed by ?" The rebel 



232 THE ESCAPE 

on the mule, overhearing my question, replied, 
that the two men in the wagon did not see us, 
but that he had been on picket, and was just going 
home from the opposite direction, when he saw us 
come near the road, and watched us until we ran 
back and hid in the brush. We were so taken 
up with the wagon, that we did not think of look- 
ing to our right, where the rebel, not a hundred 
yards distant, was a silent spectator of the whole 
proceeding. He heard the rumbling of the wagon 
at the same time we did, and concluded to wait 
until it came up, and get assistance to capture us. 

In reply to their questions, we informed them 
who we were, and where we came from, but they 
did not seem to believe our statement, and search- 
ed us to see whether we had any weapons conceal- 
ed about our persons; but they found nothing more 
than an old case-knife. They then tied our arms 
behind our backs with ropes, and with another 
rope tied us together. The rebel on the mule then 
took charge of us, and said he was going to take us 
to Lieut. Shote's house, about seven miles from 
there, and the men with the wagon continued their 
journey in the opposite direction. 

This was all done so suddenly, that it seemed 
like a dream to me, and more than once I found 
myself, as I have often done when dreaming a hor- 
rible dream, trying to arouse myself, to find it all 
an illusion; but this time it was impossible — the 
stern reality was before me. The excitement 
that had kept me up so far was now over; I felt 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 233 

weak and hungry, and begged our captor for some- 
thing to eat. The first house we came to we halt- 
ed, and the guard procured us some corn-bread, 
then took us to a blacksmith's shop, near by, and 
partially loosened the ropes with which we were 
bound, while he and the blacksmith kept a vigilant 
watch over us. After we had eaten our corn-bread, 
the ropes were re-adjusted, and we resumed our 
journey. 

It must have been seven very long miles that he 
marched us, as we did not reach the Lieutenant's 
house until the middle of the afternoon. The house 
was situated in the midst of a dense pine forest, 
with no cleared land around it. As we stepped 
into the house, some one said in a loud voice, ad- 
dressing my partner: "How are you, Srofe ?" I 
was astonished, and Lieut. Srofe did not under- 
stand it either. I looked around the room, and 
saw a young man, dressed in the rebel gray, lying 
on the floor, reading a book. I asked him who he 
was, and where he came from. He replied that 
his name was John Baker, and that he belonged to 
the 130th regiment Illinois Infantry, and had made 
his escape from Camp Ford, Texas, but was re- 
captured about an hour before. Miserable as we 
felt, we had a good laugh over our meeting. This 
convinced the rebels that we were Yankees, and no 
mistake. 

His story was soon told. He had bribed the 
guards and made his escape with the others the 
evening before we did, but became separated from 



234 THE ESCAPE 

them, and had made the trip alone. That morn- 
ing he ran against this house in the woods, and 
was confronted by the inmates before he was 
aware of it. Being confused, he could only stam- 
mer out, " How far is it to Little Rock? " — just the 
very question he should not have asked. The Lieu- 
tenant, who was in the house, overheard him, and 
came to the door, his hand resting on his revolver, 
told him to walk in and make himself comfortable, 
which he did, saying that he was beaten this time. 
Hence our strange meeting. This same soldier 
made his escape at two different times afterwards; 
was re-captured each time, and the close of the 
war found him still in prison. 

But to resume our own adventures. The rebel 
Lieutenant had us untied, and gave us our dinners, 
after which a wounded Confederate soldier, from 
Lee's army, who had just returned home on fur- 
lough, entertained us with an account of the mili- 
tary operations east of the Mississippi River. To- 
wards evening, we were put in charge of four or 
five rebel guards, who took us about six miles far- 
ther, to Serg't. Luther's house, to stay all night. 
They had now three live Yankees, as they called 
us, to exhibit around through the country. They 
took great pride in showing their prize to all their 
friends on the road, but we were a hard-looking 
set to exhibit. 

Our clothes were all in shreds, from traveling so 
long through the brush, and not very clean, at that. 
We were considered quite a curiosity wherever we 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 



235 



were taken. At one place the guards halted us at 
a house to get some water, and told the family to 
come and see their live Yankees. They came out, 
expecting to see a great sight, no doubt. An old 
lady, in particular, ran back into the house, and 
returned with her spectacles, which she hastily, in 
her excitement, pushed up on her forehead, and 
then planted herself right before us, and took a 
good look. After she had gazed at us in 
silence for some time, she exclaimed: ''Well, if 
these be Yankees, they look almost like we 'uns. " 
It is very strange what queer ideas some of the 
Southern people had, in regard to the appearance 
of Northern soldiers. 

About dusk that evening, we reached the log 
cabin of Serg't. Luther, where they intended to 
keep us for the night. The family consisted of the 
mother and her two young daughters. Serg't. Lu- 
ther had taken some deserters to a neighboring 
town that day, and had not yet returned. They 
prepared supper for us, consisting of green beans, 
pork and corn-bread, which we' ate by the light of 
a pine torch. After supper, the ladies entertained 
us by singing some songs of 'M«/(? Bellum " days. 
Their favorite seemed to be the " Bold Buccaneer. " 

After they got through, they requested us to 
teach them some new ones, but as we were not on 
a singing excursion, we respectfully declined. The 
fact of the case was, we had not learned many new 
songs since the war, excepting such as " John 
Brown, " " Rally Round the Flag, " and that style 



236 THE ESCAPE 

of patriotic airs, which we were not very anxious 
to sing in the presence of so many armed rebels. 
Not knowing what disposition they were going to 
make of us for the night, we informed them that 
we were very tired and sleepy. The old lady then 
made a bed on the floor, in the only room the 
cabin contained, while she and her daughters oc- 
cupied the beds, and the guards, with loaded mus- 
kets, stood at the doors. 

Before the old lady retired, she gave us a bit of 
her mind. She inquired: "How much longer is 
this war going to last ? " To which we replied, 
that we did not know. She said: " Dog my cats, 
I think it has been going on long enough, and this 
thing of the women having to raise the * craps,' 
while the men are riding around the whole year, 
with their guns, will have to be stopped mighty 
soon. I am getting tired of doing all the work. " 
We half-way agreed with her, but were too tired 
and sleepy to stay awake and listen to the lecture, 
and fell into a sound slumber while she was yet 
talking. 

Up to this time, according to our maps, we had 
traveled two hundred and fifty-three miles. The 
air-line was two hundred and twenty-five miles from 
prison, thirty miles west of Hot Springs, and eighty 
miles from Little Rock, Arkansas. To have all 
our trials and sufferings terminate thus, with per- 
haps still worse in store, made our future look very 
gloomy and discouraging. 

Sept. 3d, long before day, the guards awakened 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 237 

US, saying that we must get ready to march, and 
we would eat our breakfast on the road. Their or- 
ders were to take us to Washington, Ark., 45 miles 
south, and turn us over to the authorities there. 
Towards evening, the guards requested, at each 
house on the road, permission to stay all night, 
and get supper for themselves and prisoners, and 
feed for their horses, but at every house the reply 
came, "we have nothing to eat ourselves. " 

It was getting dark, and we had marched 27 
miles since morning, when we halted at the house 
of a wealthy planter, near Center Point, but he 
turned them off with the same answer they had re- 
ceived elsewhere. We then begged the guards not 
to march us any farther, telling them we would 
be perfectly satisfied with a little parched corn, if 
they would only stop for the night. After a short 
consultation among the guards, they entered the 
house, which was a large brick mansion, and took 
forcible possession of the premises, and ordered 
supper for the guards and prisoners, which was 
served up with reluctance. After supper, we were 
put in the parlor, with a sentinel stationed at the 
door. 

The next day, we passed through Temperance- 
ville and Nashville, and reached Washington in 
the evening. Here we were confined in the second 
story of the Court House. The next morning, a 
rebel officer called on us, and, after inquiring who 
we were, asked me whether I was fond of jewelry. 
I replied, "I don't know that I am, particularly. " 



238 THE ESCAPE 

He said he would procure some for us before night. 
I did not then comprehend him, but learned af» 
terward, that he intended to give us a ball and chain 
to carry. They had sent off some Union prisoners 
a few days previous, who carried off all the shackles 
and chains in the town, which was all that saved 
us. 

The day following, a rebel Colonel, from Mis- 
souri, paid us a visit. He treated us very gentle- 
manly, and took out his pocket-book and asked us 
whether w^e w^anted any money. We thanked him, 
but declined. He then asked us whether he could 
do anything for us. We replied that all we want- 
ed was to be sent back to our old prison, as soon 
as possible, so that we would be in time for an ex- 
change, if any took place. He said he would send 
us forward as soon as he could get the guards ready, 
which would be three or four days. At the same 
time, he remarked that there was then an ex- 
change of prisoners taking place at our old prison, 
and that we would have to hurry up to be in time. 
We were all excitement now, to get back to Camp 
Ford, for we had strong hopes of being exchanged 
if we arrived before it took place. That day three 
more Union prisoners, belonging to an Indiana 
regiment, were brought in. One of the poor fel- 
lows died, a few days afterward, from the exposure 
of the trip. 

September 8th. This was the day set for us to 
be sent to Camden, Arkansas, sixty miles distant. 
Early in the morning, several rebel officers from 



AND RE-CAPTURE, 239 

Missouri, with whom we had become acquainted, 
came and took Lieut. Srofe and myself out of the 
guard-house, to show us the town and give us our 
breakfast. Washington was then the capital of 
Arkansas, and all the rebel work-shops for the 
State were located there. After a walk through 
the town, we visited a saloon, where all they had 
was very mean " pine-top " whisky, at one dollar 
a drink. The rebel officers, excepting one, got 
most gloriously drunk in a very short time. In 
our army, the rule among the great drinkers seem- 
ed to be, to get drunk only when in good spirits, 
after a victory. We had nothing to rejoice over, 
therefore, I am happy to say, we did not follow 
their example, but reminded them that we had 
not had our breakfast. They then took us to their 
quarters, where breakfast was waiting, consisting 
of fried beef liver, very sad-looking biscuits, and 
corn coffee. We cleared the table of everything 
within our reach, in a remarkably short time. 

The rebels were getting boisterous, declaring 
that they were going to fight us as long as they 
lived, to gain their independence, and said that 
what we saw on the table was their regular fare, 
but they would live on sweet potatoes, before they 
would give up. W*e were not in a fighting condi- 
tion just then, therefore let them have it all their 
own way. 

At II o'clock A. M., we, with three other Union 
prisoners and several rebel deserters, were turned 
over to a squad of rebel cavalry, under Lieutenant 



240 THE ESCAPE 

Whitehouse. We had to march thirty miles a day, 
but otherwise we received fair treatment from 
them. We traveled over the same road that Gen. 
Steele had fought the rebels on, the previous spring. 
The marks of the fierce conflict that raged over 
that narrow country road, were still visible on all 
sides. In the afternoon we crossed the battle- 
field of Prairie d' Ann, and reached the home of 
Lieutenant Whitehouse in the evening. For safe 
keeping, we were placed in the village store, and 
received rations to last us two days, which we 
cooked and ate during the night, from the effects 
of which I felt very uncomfortable all the next day. 
Two days Confederate rations of corn-meal and 
bacon, was more than I could stand at one meal. 
We made an early start the following morning, 
and soon reached Poison Springs, where a portion 
of Gen. Steele's supply train had been captured by 
the rebels. Among the train-guards was a regi- 
ment of colored soldiers, five hundred strong. 
They were surrounded by the rebels, no quarter 
given, and every one killed. Their bodies were 
still lying where they fell, and their bones scat- 
tered along the road. A Southern historian men- 
tions the slaughter of the colored regiment, and 
states that " among the material fruits of the bat- 
tle, was an uncounted number of dead negroes. " 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 24I 



CHAPTER IV. 

In the Cotton-Shed at Camden — Pandemonium — Sent to 
the Hospital — On the Road Again — Guarded by Blood- 
Hounds — Prisoners Lassoed — WadingThrough a Stream 
by Request — Arrival atShreveport — Meeting Our Regi- 
ment — Homeward Bound— Our First Mail — No Water 
for " Yankees " — Camp Ford — Home Again — Sentenced 
— Our New Cabin — Northers — Presidential Election — 
Tramping in the Ring. 

SEPTEMBER loth, we arrived at Camden, 
gH traveling the entire distance, sixty miles, in 
forty-eight hours. Here we were turned over to 
.one of the meanest men in existence, whose name 
has slipped my memory. He was a Captain and 
Prison- Adjutant. Although he did not misuse me 
individually, I have seen him vent his spleen on 
more than one poor fellow. His chief amusement 
consisted in flogging slaves, who were found av^ay 
from home without passes, putting Union soldiers 
in the stocks, or chaining them together in pairs, 
and making them work on the corduroy roads, 
near town. After he had taken our names, he put 
us in the second story of a long and very narrow 
ware-house, with only two windows at each end, 
for ventilation, in which were confined between 
two and three hundred prisoners. Quite a num- 



242 THE ESCAPE 

ber of them had also been re-captured in attempt- 
ing to make their escape. 

That night I could hardly find sufficient space 
on the floor to lie down, the room being so crowd- 
ed, and the heat so oppressive that it was impos- 
sible to sleep. The next day they took all the 
worst men of their own army, whom they had con- 
fined for various offenses in the neighboring guard- 
houses, together with the Union prisoners and quite 
a number of slaves, that had attempted to escape 
from their masters, and put us all in a cotton-shed. 

It was a low building, and occupied nearly an 
entire square, with a hollow court in the center. 
This was decidedly a hard place, as hot as an oven, 
with next to nothing to eat, and a very scanty al- 
lowance of warm river-water to drink. In the 
center of the shed, the cooking was done for all 
the inmates. We had but very few cooking uten- 
sils, therefore those who did not get to cook their 
rations by daylight, had to keep up the fires and 
do their cooking after nightfall. About one-fourth 
of the prisoners had a ball and chain to their 
legs, or were chained together in pairs. To awake 
during the night, and hear the yelling and cursing, 
the rattling of chains, and see the air filled with 
sparks and ashes, as the fires were stirred up by 
the cooks, was enough to make one believe that 
he was in Pandemonium. 

With insufficient food, bad weather, and worn 
out from traveling so far, I was afraid it would 
bring on sickness, which, in such a place, would 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 243 

be equal to a through ticket to eternity. I learned 
from the guards, that there was a Union hospital 
in town, containing several hundred wounded sol- 
diers, that had been captured from Gen. Steele's 
command, in charge of two of our own Doctors. 
We managed to send a note out to the Surgeon in 
charge, telling him how we were situated ; that we 
had no clothes fit to wear, and scarcely anything 
to eat. He sent us word to keep quiet ; that he 
would have us paroled and sent to his hospital. 
Among other articles sent through the lines by our 
Government, for the use of the wounded, was a 
barrel of whisky. By using it occasionally among 
the officers in charge of us, he gained their con- 
sent to have Lieut. Srofe and myself paroled, and 
sent to the hospital. 

When we reached the hospital, we thought our 
happiness was complete, we were so kindly greet- 
ed by all. We both received a suit of army blue, 
and plenty to eat. Here we met Maj. McCauley 
and his comrade, of whose capture, near Rock 
Comfort, Arkansas, the three slaves had previous- 
ly informed us. 

September 30th, all the Union prisoners that 
were able to travel, numbering about three hun- 
dred, were ordered to Shreveport, Louisiana, one 
hundred and ten miles distant. We were guarded 
by a company of cavalry, in command of Captain 
Montgomery, whose very name was a terror to the 
Union prisoners. I had heard of his brutal treat- 
ment of Federal soldiers, and was continually on 



244 THE ESCAPE 

my guard, not to incur his displeasure. Behind 
the last file of prisoners rode five rebels, with lari- 
ats, with orders to lasso and drag every one by the 
neck that did not keep up with the cavalry guards. 

Many a poor fellow was thus terribly punished 
for failing to keep ahead of the "ropers, " as they 
were called. One young soldier was lassoed so 
often, and failing to travel with the rope around his 
neck, as fast as the mounted " ropers, " he was 
dragged so frequently that he died from the effects 
of it, about a week after he reached Camp Ford. 
Capt. Franz, of the 9th Wiseonsin Vols., whose arm 
had been amputated but a short time previous, and 
who was still suffering from the effects of the oper- 
ation, was unable to keep up one day. He was 
told by the "ropers" that, unless he marched 
faster, they would put the rope around his neck. 
He halted where he stood, and replied, that he was 
marching as fast as he could, and that they were 
welcome to do their worst — he could do no better. 
They made no reply, nor did they molest him after 
that. Capt. Franz informed me afterward, that he 
felt so miserable, that had they taken his life on 
the spot he would have considered it a deed of 
mercy. 

Behind the " ropers " were another set of tor- 
mentors, consisting of three rebels, with a pack of 
blood-hounds, to hunt down those who attempted 
to escape. It was almost impossible to get away 
from them, and yet two of our men were so fool- 
hardy as to make the attempt. As soon as they 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 245 

were missed, the rebels put the hounds on their 
trail, and in the course of four or five hours after- 
ward the rebels, with the dogs, caught up with us 
again. When asked by their comrades whether 
they had caught the " Yankees, " they replied that 
the dogs had killed one of them before they came 
up, and the other was so badly torn that they had 
to leave him in a hospital on the road ! That was 
the last I ever heard of either of them. 

When we halted for the night, after the first 
day's march from Camden, Capt. Montgomery 
laid out our camping-ground by driving stakes at 
the four corners. One of the prisoners, not know- 
ing how the stakes came there, pulled one of them 
up to kindle a fire with. The Captain saw him in 
the act, and came rushing up, took the stake out 
of his hand, and without saying a word, struck 
him on the head with it and felled him to the 
ground. 

It rained nearly all night, and as we had no pro- 
tection from the weather, we spent a miserable 
night. The next morning it was very muddy travel- 
ing, and the small streams on the road were out of 
their banks. In trying to avoid wading through 
the water of a small stream, by crossing on a foot- 
log by. the road-side, a guard called me back, after 
I was half-way across, and ordered me to wade 
through the water in the middle of the road; at 
the same'time he halted his horse and aimed his 
gun at me. Consequently, I hurried back and 
floundered through the water, to his entire satis- 



246 THE ESCAPE 

faction. This is a fair specimen of our treatment 
while on the road to the stockade. 

We arrived at Shreveporton the 5th of October, 
having marched one hundred and ten miles in 
four days and a half Shreveport was the head- 
quarters of the rebel army, west of the Mississippi 
River. I counted eight steamboats and two gun- 
boats at the wharf, and the streets were crowded 
with rebel soldiers. 

We crossed Red River on a pontoon bridge, in 
front of the city, and marched up Main Street to 
the Provost Marshal's office. While our names 
were being taken by that officer, Capt. Birchett, 
the rebel Assistant Agent for the Exchange of 
Prisoners, with whom I was well acquainted, came 
walking along the side-walk. As soon as he saw 
me, he stepped up to where I stood, and said, 
" Where in the world did you come from ?" I re- 
plied that I had made my escape, but had been 
re-captured in Arkansas. He said, " you missed 
it this time, sure; your regiment has just arrived at 
the Four Mile Springs, paroled, and are on their 
way home. " I had never thought of an exchange 
taking place so soon. I tried to smile and pre- 
tend I did not care, but I think I made a failure 
of it. He stepped back and began talking with 
the rebels who crowded around him, and from the 
manner in which they stared at me, I supposed he 
was giving them my history. 

From there they took us about two miles out 
of town, to a rebel camp. Here we remained four 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 247 

days, and during that time they kept telling us that 
we would be sent home with our Regiment, which 
was as hard a punishment as they could have in- 
flicted, as it raised our hopes of release, only to dis- 
appoint them. 

On the 8th day of October, we were ordered to 
start immediately for Camp Ford, no miles west. 
We were still guarded by the same cavalry, and in 
the same manner as before. A few hours march 
brought us to where our Regiment was encamped 
by the roadside, waiting for the rebels to repair their 
steamboats, to take them to the Mississippi River. 
They had heard that Lieut. Srofe and myself were 
on our way back to prison, and had collected all the 
spare change in the Regiment, which amounted to 
twenty dollars in green-backs and two dollars in sil- 
ver. As we passed by, Capt. Thomas Montgomery, 
of my Regiment, gave the money, and the letters 
that had arrived for us during our absence, to one 
of the guards, who handed them over to me. In a 
few words I gave Capt. Montgomery instructions - 
what to do with my private property that had not 
been captured, and to do all he could to have us 
exchanged. The paroled prisoners had received 
strict orders, that if any one of them conversed 
with us as we passed, they would be sent back 
again to the stockade ; consequently, the conver- 
sation was necessarily carried on entirely by my- 
self 

All the hardships and suffering of my three 
years' service seemed to dwindle into insignificance 



248 THE ESCAPE 

when compared to the utter despair I felt on that 
memorable day ; and it was with a heavy heart 
and weary footsteps that I resumed my westward 
journey after my brief interview. 

The incidents of the march, the perusal of the 
first letters received since my capture, in which I 
received the first intimation that I had been re- 
ported among the killed, in the official report of 
the battle of Sabine Cross-Roads, and that little 
word, "Hope," all tended toward wearing off" the 
first disappointment, at missing my chance of ex- 
change with my Regiment. After a tiresome 
march of twenty-five miles, we camped in the 
evening near a deserted cavalry camp, where I 
found a lot of corn-cobs, with a few grains of corn 
at each end, which the horses had not eaten off. 
I began to gather them up, and had quite an 
arm-full, when a rebel seeing me, asked what I in- 
tended to do with those cobs. I replied that I 
was going to parch the corn for my supper. He 
seemed surprised, and told me to throw it away 
and he would get me some good corn. That eve- 
ning he brought me four large ears, which I was 
almost tempted to keep for myself, but upon sec- 
ond thought, I divided it equally with my mess- 
mates. 

The pint of corn-meal, and the small slice of 
bacon, that we received daily, was insufficient food 
on which to march from 25 to 30 miles a day, 
and but for stray ears of corn that we picked up 
on the march, and the few crumbs begged of the 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 249 

guards, some of the prisoners would never have 
reached the stockade. 

The next morning, when Lieut. Srofe awoke, 
he discovered that one of the rebels had 
stolen his blouse while he was asleep. He 
found the soldier that had taken it, but no 
amount of persuasion could induce him to re- 
turn it to the rightful owner. Lieut. Srofe then de- 
livered a free lecture on stealing, for the benefit of 
the guards. As the blouse was not returned, Lieut. 
Srofe resumed the journey in his shirt-sleeves. 

That evening we camped near a rebel's house, 
who refused to let "Yankees" have any water 
from his well, without which we could not prepare 
our corn-meal. After trying in vain to eat it raw, 
we parched it slightly, which made it more palat- 
able. Some time in the night the guards discover- 
ed some stagnant pools of water near camp, which 
they permitted us to use. 

October 12th, we arrived at Camp Ford, Texas, 
our old home. We had marched the distance 
from Shreveport, one hundred and ten miles, in 
four days. After calling the roll, we were turned 
over to the prison-commander. Col. Brown. In 
our absence, the old guards had been relieved, 
and State troops had taken their place. Before 
we were turned into the stockade, Lieut. Srofe and 
myself received our sentence from Col. Brown 
for attempting to escape. The sentence was, 
"never to be exchanged, but to remain in prison 
until the close of the war." 



250 THE ESCAPE 

This was a hard blow, and we did not rest un- 
til we appealed to the rebel Assistant Agent of Ex- 
change. He gave us poor comfort, and said there 
was no appeal from the decision that had been 
made, consequently the sentence would be carried 
out. He even went farther, and ridiculed us for be- 
ing re-captured. I met this same Captain after the 
war in New Orleans, and he had the impudence to 
tell me that I had not been treated right! I an- 
swered him that he might have done a great deal 
for me at one time, but he failed to do so, there- 
fore I did not want to hear any apologies on the 
subject. 

After we were turned into the stockade we were 
greeted on all sides by our friends, saying they 
were very sorry to see us, and the reader can rest 
assured the feeling was fully reciprocated. In the 
evening, while surrounded by our old comrades, 
and relating to them the adventures and misfor- 
tunes of our trip, Lieut. Cone, with his glee club, 
surprised us with a serenade, in honor of our re- 
turn. The singing had a cheering effect on our 
drooping spirits, but when they closed the enter- 
tainment with the following song, the audience 
and singers could scarcely suppress a smile : 

"Home again ! Home again ! from a foreign ehore, 
And oh, it fills my soul with joy, 
To meet ray friends once more !" 

That night, weary and completely worn out, 
after an absence of one month and twenty-two 
days, we slept once more in our old bunks. Dur- 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 25 1 

ing that time, we had traveled five hundred and 
seventy-five miles, lived on parched corn a good 
portion of the time, and last, but not least, we 
had missed being exchanged ! 

As winter was approaching, farther attempts to 
escape were impracticable, until the following 
summer, therefore we tried to make ourselves as 
comfortable as possible and "bide our time." 
Our old cabin which we had occupied before we 
left, was over-crowded with strangers. We there- 
fore did not reclaim our property, but accepted 
an invitation to live with Mess No. ii, which was 
composed of the following prisoners : Engineers 
Bradley and Fales. of the Navy ; Lieut. Harkness, 
77th 111. Infantry; Joseph Day, of the Chicago 
Mercantile Battery; Maj. McCauly, ist Indiana 
Cavalry; Lieut. Srofe and myself. Our shanty 
was a very poor affair, but before winter set in we 
built us a new log cabin. 

The prison-commander had given the control 
of all privileges granted to the prisoners, to Capt. 
J. M. McCullock, 77th 111. Vols. He was well 
suited for the position, and did justice to all the 
prisoners, without fear or favor. Through his in- 
fluence, we secured the use of a yoke of oxen, to 
haul logs for our new house. When we had all 
our timber ready, we tore down the old shanty, 
and raised our new log cabin, and moved into it 
the same day. It was ten by twelve feet, and had 
no windows, depending altogether upon the door 
for light. We had a clay fire-place, but wood was 



252 THE ESCAPE 

scarce, and we had to carry nearly all of it over 
a half-mile, and only had that opportunity a few- 
hours every two weeks. 

The weather was very pleasant during the win- 
ter, excepting when the Northers raged. They 
generally came up very suddenly, without any 
warning, and changed the temperature from a 
sultry heat to a wintry blast. The wind pene- 
trated through our scant clothing and sent us shiv- 
ing to our shanties, where we crawled into our 
bunks and waited until the Norther subsided. 
They generally lasted from twenty-four to forty- 
eight hours. 

Prison-life had not changed much during our 
absence. We received our pint of corn-meal and 
a small piece of beef, daily, excepting on rainy 
days, when we had to wait for fair weather. Oc- 
casionally the arrival of a mail broke the monotony 
of prison, but it was very seldom that we received 
any communication from the outside world. I have 
known cases where prisoners received no word 
from their families after they were captured, and 
none of their own letters ever reached home, dur- 
ing their entire imprisonment. On returning 
home after their release, they learned that they 
had been mourned as dead, and their families 
broken up and scattered. 

The rebel papers generally gave very glowing ac- 
counts of military matters from their stand-point, 
and converted every defeat into a victory for their 
arms; therefore the prison authorities sent us 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 253 

their papers regularly, for our perusal, but as we 
knew what allowance to make for their statements, 
we were very seldom misled in regard to the true 
state of affairs. 

When I was first captured, I bought two yards 
of ingrain carpet, for eight dollars, to use in place 
of a blanket, but when the Regiment was ex- 
changed it was disposed of, which left me without 
any bedding whatever. In the first days of my 
captivity I had sold my buck gauntlets to a rebel 
officer for thirty dollars, and did not know the 
value of Confederate money until I expended it 
for ginger-cakes, at one dollar each ! The brass 
buttons on my coat went one at a time, at one 
dollar each. My watch I had long ago parted 
with, for forty pounds of bacon. The money re- 
ceived when we passed our Regiment was soon 
spent, and I was once more penniless, but fortu- 
nately I met with an opportunity to borrow one 
hundred dollars in greenbacks at fifty per cent, in- 
terest, payable as soon as I was exchanged. While 
the money lasted, our mess purchased as much pro- 
visions daily as the rebels supplied us with, but 
after the money was spent we had to fall back on 
our regular allowance again. 

When the day of the Presidential election ar- 
rived, Nov. 8th, 1864, the rebel authorities, to as- 
certain the sentiment of the prisoners, offered us 
the necessary paper to hold an election in prison. 
The offer was accepted, and the election was held 
in due form. I was selected as one of the judges, 



254 THE ESCAPE 

and still have the original list, with the number of 
votes of each of the thirteen wards into which 
the prison was divided. Lincoln received 1,504 
votes, and McClellan 687. 

Soon after the election, quite a number of 
roughs, under the leadership of some desperate 
characters from New York City, armed themselves 
with clubs, for the purpose of plundering the 
camp. In open daylight, they drove the peaceful 
portion of the prisoners out of their quarters, and 
robbed them of everything found in their cabins. 
For three or four days they had full sway, but 
very quietly the "Regulators" prepared their 
heavy clubs, and the two factions met one after- 
noon on the principal street. It was a sight long 
to be remembered, when the two opposing parties, 
brandishing their clubs, rushed at each other 
with a yell, and the noise and confusion that 
arose, as the huge mass swayed back and forth 
during the melee, was fearful. The roughs were 
finally overpowered and driven to their quarters, 
and did not cause any more trouble afterwards. 
The wounded on both sides were numerous, but 
none were fatally injured. 

Every feasible plan was tried to pass away the 
time, which hung heavily on our hands. The un- 
varying sameness of our existence, day after day, 
bore down upon the mind like a heavy weight, but 
the suffering incident to the extremes of heat and 
cold and insufficient food, could be borne better 
than the mental strain, caused by the close con- 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 255 

finement and the ever-recurring thoughts of free- 
dom and home. Our only relief at such times, 
from an overcharged mind, was to "tramp in the 
ring," as it was called. The track was in the upper 
part of the prison, and was loo yards in circum- 
ference. The steady tramp of the prisoners was 
heard from early morn until late at night. They 
marched singly and in squads around the circle, 
until completely worn out, when others took their 
places, and the endless tramp was continued. As 
winter approached, the cold weather and scarcity 
of fuel helped materially to swell the throng. 



256 THE ESCAPE 



eHAPTER V. 

The Rebel Array Ordered to Richmond, Va. — The Troops 
Refuse to Cross the Mississippi — Invasion of Missouri 
— Rebel Soldiers Plundering their Own People— Burial 
of the Beef — Plot to Overpower the Guards — 1,200 
Prisoners Exchanged — Their Condition When They 
Reached New Orleans — The Last Ditch — Foreign Inter- 
vention — Lee's Surrender — The War to Last Forty 
Years Longer — ''The Gates Ajar" — The Homeward Jour- 
ney — Under the Old Flag — Mustered Out— Description 
of Camp Ford, Three Months After our Departure — De- 
struction of Camp Ford. 

^^EN. KIRBY SMITH, who commanded the 
^H rebel forces west of the Mississippi river, re- 
ceived orders from Richmond, Va., during the 
summer of 1864, to cross the Mississippi river with 
his whole army, which, according to their own 
estimates, numbered 60,000 effective men, and 
march to the relief of Gen. Lee. Some of the 
troops were started in the direction of the points 
selected for the crossing, but the soldiers refused 
to cross under the fire of the gun-boats. The 
scheme was finally abandoned, and instead, ex- 
tensive peparations were made to invade Missouri. 
In the latter part of August, all the arrangements 
were completed, and the expedition, consisting of 
three divisions of cavalry, under Maj. Gen. Price, 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 257 

Started on the Missouri campaign, that ended so 
disastrously to the rebel army. 

T. C. Reynolds, the rebel Governor of Missouri, 
accompanied the expedition, for the purpose of 
re-establishing his authority, if they were success- 
ful in holding the State, but they failed, and re- 
turned, defeated and badly demoralized, in No- 
vember. After their return, Governor Reynolds 
published a letter in the Marshall (Tex.) Repub- 
lican, of Dec. 23d, 1864, in which he reviewed the 
causes that led to the failure of the expedition. 
The principal cause he stated was the lack of dis- 
cipline, for which he held Gen. Price individually 
responsible. As the rebels always stigmatized the 
Union soldiers as robbers and murderers, and ex- 
alted the Confederate soldiers as the " Southern 
Chivalry, " therefore the following extract from 
Governor Reynolds' letter, may be of interest by 
way of contrast : 

''Marshall, Texas, Dec. 17, 1864. 

* * * "It would take a volume to describe 
the acts of outrage ; neither station, age or sex, 
was any protection. Southern men and women 
were as little spared as Unionists. The elegant 
mansion of Gen. R. E. Lee's accomplished niece, 
and the cabins of the negro, were alike ransacked. 
John Deane, the first civilian ever made a State 
prisoner by Mr. Lincoln's Government, had his 
watch and money robbed from his person in the 
streets of Potosi, in broad day, as unceremoni- 
ously as the German merchant al Frederickton 



258 THE ESCAPE 

was forced, a pistol at his ear, to surrender his 
concealed greenbacks. As the citizens of Ar- 
kansas and Northern Texas have seen, in the 
goods unblushingly offered them for sale, the 
clothes of the poor man's infant were as attract- 
ive spoil as the merchant's silks and calico, or the 
curtains taken from the rich man's parlor. Rib- 
bons and trumpery gewgaws were stolen from the 
milliners, and jeweled rings forced from the fin- 
gers of delicate maidens, whose brothers were 
fighting in Georgia in Cockerell's Confederate 
Missouri brigade. 

* * * "The disorders still continued. They 
may be judged of by the fact, that at Booneville, 
the hotel occupied as Gen. Price's headquarters 
was the scene of drunken revelry by night; that 
guerrillas rode unchecked, in open day, before it, 
with human scalps hanging to their bridles, and 
tauntingly shaking bundles of plundered green- 
backs at our needy soldiers ; and that in an offi- 
cial letter to him there, which he left unanswered 
and undenied, I asserted, that while 'the whole- 
sale pillage in the vicinity of the army had made 
it impossible to obtain anything by purchase, 
stragglers and camp-followers were enriching 
themselves by plundering the defenseless families 
of our own soldiers in Confederate service. 

*'0n still darker deeds, I shudderingly keep 
silent. * * * God-fearing men trembled lest, 
in Heaven's anger at the excesses which had 
marked the campaign, some thunderbolt of calam- 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 



259 



ity should fall upon our arms. It did fall, and like 
a thunderbolL * * * 

"THOS. C. REYNOLDS, 
"Governor of Missouri." 

The Christmas and New Year's holidays came 
and went, but nothing occurred to break the mo- 
notony of our existence, excepting that, in addi- 
tion to our regular fare, our mess feasted on sweet 
potatoes and black-eyed peas, which we had pur- 
chased from a friendly guard, at the rate of twenty 
dollars per bushel ! 

During the winter, our beef was blue and very 
lean. We notified the prison commander. Col. 
Perkins, who had relieved Col. Brown, that our 
beef was not fit to eat, but our complaints were 
not heeded. The rebels who guarded us, muti- 
nied against receiving such meat, and took one 
day's rations, consisting of nearly a whole beef, 
dug a grave, and buried it with the honors of war, 
not forgetting to fire the parting volley over the 
grave. From that time their rations were changed 
to bacon. We could not think of committing 
such an extravagance as to bury even a single 
day's rations of tough beef, though we knew that 
they would be changed afterward for the better. 

In the latter part of January, 1865, I received a 
notice to attend a secret meeting, in the cabin oc- 
cupied by the officers of the 130th Ills. At dark, I 
went to the place where the meeting was to be 
held. I found the door strongly guarded, and 
sentinels posted outside, to give the alarm in case 



260 THE ESCAPE 

of any outside intrusion. After some delay I was 
admitted, and as I entered, a Kansas Captain was 
making an eloquent appeal to a crowded house, urg- 
ing the prisoners to overpower the guards, mount 
themselves with the horses belonging to the guards, 
and others that could be found in the vicinity, 
and strike for the land of freedom. Quite a num- 
ber of other speakers followed, who were the lead- 
ers in the plot, and any one who attempted to say 
a word against the proposition was hissed down 
and denounced as a coward. My opinion was 
that it was a very dangerous project. I had seen a 
portion of the rebel army after my re-capture, that 
would confront us, even if we succeeded in over- 
powering the prison-guards. But I dare not ex- 
press my real opinion before such an audience. 

At length I was called upon to express my 
views upon the subject. I remarked that they 
could depend on me in anything they would un- 
dertake, to get out of prison, but I would not go 
into anything blindly. I considered it a very 
serious business. I wanted them to investigate 
the matter in regard to the number of horses that 
we could get in the neighborhood, and how many 
arms were stored in Tyler, etc. ; then we might 
talk of action, and not before. My remarks had 
the desired effect, and it was immediately moved 
that a committee of three be appointed to get all 
the necessary information, to enable us to make 
our escape ^^en masse'"' I was placed on the com- 
mittee, and by making a show of ' great energy I 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 261 

had it all my own way. I kept putting off my 
report from day to day under various pretexts, in 
order to gain time, until finally I hardly knew 
what excuse to offer for any further delay, when 
orders were received to forward 1,200 prisoners 
for exchange, and the prospect was that more 
would soon follow, which nipped the plot in the 
bud. 

Our Government sent us a lot of clothing, which 
was received on the first of February, and was dis- 
tributed only to the most needy. From the boxes 
that the clothing was packed in, several new in- 
dustries sprang up. From the strap- iron around 
the boxes, table-knives were manufactured, and 
from the lumber, violins were made. 
. To Lieut. Paine, of the i8th New York Cavalry, 
lam indebted for a fine violin. He plied his trade 
for two months to good advantage, on the instru- 
ment, his only tool being the broken blade of a 
knife. He presented the violin to me when he 
and Capt. Dill made their escape. They started 
for the coast, and got within sight of the gunboats, 
when they were re-captured and taken to Houston, 
Texas, and held until the close of the war. 

Feb. Toth, 1200 prisoners were exchanged. The 
following is an extract from the Cincinnati Com- 
mercial, of March nth, 1865, written by their 
New Orleans correspondent, which gives a faith- 
ful description of the condition of the prisoners 
when they reached our lines : 



262 THE ESCAPE 

" New Orleans, Feb. 28, 1865. 

" The first prisoners of the new regulation for 
exchange, were received here day before yester- 
day, the 77th Ohio, 36th Iowa, and portions of 
other regiments, arriving here from Texas. 

"From Capt. McCormick, 77lh Ohio, and the 
Prison Hospital Steward, T. J. Robinson, of the 
36th Iowa, I have learned a few facts, regarding 
the situation and treatment while in prison at Ty- 
ler, Texas. It is an oft-told tale — the same sad 
narrative of abuse and privation which has be- 
come in this war, alas ! so common. 

" Most of the men were taken at Marks' Mills, 
Ark., and as soon as they had been marched to the 
rear, they were systematically and completely 
stripped of everything — hats, blankets, boots, etc. 
Arrived at Tyler, 4,300 were crowded into a stock- 
ade of four acres, on a hill-side, without anything 
to protect them from the dews, rain or sun. With- 
out a blanket, or a shingle, or even a dry bough of 
a tree, to screen themselves, they were told, in 
mockery, to " make themselves as comfortable as 
possible. " 

With an old ax, a saw and an auger, they built 
two wretched pens, covered partly with brush and 
partly with puncheons, for the accommodation of 
the sick. They had not a nail or a board, or any 
straw, with which to make bunks for them. In 
these miserable abodes, there were generally from 
120 to 160 sick at a time. To these there was 
issued enough quinine and the commonest drugs. 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 263 

for about twenty men, and the rebel surgeon, ap- 
pointed to have them in charge during the last six 
weeks, came to look after them twice. 

" There was an absolute lack of every comfort. 

* Many a poor fellow, ' said the Steward to me, 

* has died in the night, when we had not even the 
light of a tallow candle to close his eyes. ' The 
rations, to all alike, sick and well, were corn-meal 
and beef. In the summer the beef was good, but 
after the frost had cut down the prairie-grass, it 
rapidly grew blue and lean. These men have ar- 
rived here just in the condition in which they left 
Camp Ford, and are now quartered at the camp of 
distribution. Three or four of them died on the 
way down, so worn and wasted were they, after 
months of suffering in that place of torments. 

" It stirs one's blood like a trumpet, to grasp 
these honest veterans of many a battle by the 
hand, hard and bony though it be — these bronzed 
and battered lads — and hear their manly voices. 
But move on a little farther, and look on the other 
hand at the sad, wan faces of these others, who sit 
silent and gaze about them, or upon their new- 
found friends, with a look of vacant wonder — al- 
most idiocy — demented, and brought to the edge 
of the grave by their captors. Is it strange or 
foolish, if strong men speak with a quivering voice, 
and turn away, that they may hide a tear, when 
they look upon these poor wretches? Let him 
not be thought weak or unmanly who is thus 
moved, for he must be indeed something more or 



264 THE ESCAPE 

less than human who could do otherwise. * * 

" Maj. Bering and Lieut. Srofe, of the 48th Ohio, 
were detained by the rebel exchange officer at 
Camp Ford, he claiming that they had forfeited 
their right to be exchanged, in consequence of 
having attempted to escape. It will occur to most 
persons, that this is a singular pretext to advance 
for such a proceeding. Q. P. F. " 

As spring advanced, our hope of release was 
based mainly on the prospect that the war would 
soon come to a close, which began to look like a 
possibility after Hood's defeat at Nashville, Price's 
defeat in Missouri, and " Sherman's March to the 
Sea. " Their boast, to " die in the last ditch, " 
rather than come back into the Union, was heard 
no more ; but instead, they were eagerly looking 
for some foreign power to take up their cause, and 
deliver them from Yankee subjugation. 

The rebel Gen. R. Taylor says : '' There was 
much talk about setting up a government west of 
the Mississippi, uniting with Maximilian, and call- 
ing on Louis Napoleon for assistance. " 

Another Southern historian states : 

"H. W, Allen, Governor of Louisiana, had dis- 
patched Gen. Polignac with communications to 
Napoleon IIL, Emperor of the French, and it was 
desirable, above all things, to keep the Confed= 
erate flag afloat yet a few months longer. It has 
since been ascertained, that two or three months 
more of resistance would have brought recog- 
nition, and the salvation of the Confederacy. " 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 265 

They were prepared to bow the knee to the 
sceptre of any foreign monarch, who would have 
helped them out of the dilemma into which their 
short-sighted leaders had led them. Such was the 
sentiment of their citizens and soldiers, with whom 
we came in contact at that stage of the war. Yet 
at times, they were defiant as ever, and almost 
persuaded us that the war had but fairly com- 
menced. The gloomy outlook of their cause had 
its effect on the prison authorities, which caused 
them to relax their severity, and occasionally they 
would grant us some favors. 

North of the prison, was a field of about ten 
acres, but as the rebels had burned all the rails, 
the field was of no benefit to them. Capt. John 
Watts, of the 130th Ills. Vols., an old, grey-haired 
veteran, proposed to Col. Perkins, the prison com- 
mander, that if he would let him out every day, 
with twenty-five men, he would go the woods, make 
rails, carry them to the field, fence up a portion, 
and plant it in corn and beans, for the benefit of 
those who agreed to do the work. Col. Perkins 
gave his consent, with the proviso that every man 
give his word of honor not to attempt to escape 
while at work. 

On the first spring day, " Uncle John, " as the 
Captain was generally called, took out his men 
and went to work. In a short time he had suffi- 
cient ground fenced in to raise a crop. He then 
procured a plow, attached twenty men to it, and 
broke up the ground. But Gen. Grant spoiled the 



266 THE ESCAPE 

Captain's calculations about raising a crop in Tex- 
as, when he forced Gen. Lee and his army to sur- 
render. " Uncle John " had to come away and 
leave his farm in a flourishing condition, and I 
suppose he has never forgiven Gen. Grant for not 
giving him time to reap the fruits of his industry. 

In the latter part of April, the rebel papers con- 
tained the news that President Lincoln had been 
assassinated. We considered it a joke, at the time, 
for the reason that they had published a similar 
report about six months previous; but gradually it 
came in such a shape that we could no longer 
doubt it. It cast a gloom over the prison that can- 
not easily be forgotten. Their papers were silent 
for some time in regard to Lee's surrender, which 
had taken place before the assassination. 

At last it was whispered around among the guards 
that Gen. Grant had really captured Gen. Lee's 
whole army. At this news our joy knew no bounds, 
but in a few days afterward, their papers, in speak- 
ing of the disaster that had befallen their arms in 
Virginia, stated that it did not affect the territory 
west of the Mississippi River, and that they could 
" hold out for forty years longer ! " The papers 
also contained the proclamation of General Kirby 
Smith, in which he stated that all they had to do 
was to hold out faithfully, and they would yet gain 
their independence. That was rather a damper 
on our buoyant spirits ; but fortunately, our rebel 
guards could not see it in that light, but packed 
their baggage, and in the night of May 14th, like 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 267 

the Arabs of old, they "folded their tents and silent- 
ly stole away. " Our feelings can better be im- 
agined than described, when on the following 
morning we found the " Gates Ajar " — not a soli- 
tary sentinel oh guard, and the rebel camp desert- 
ed ! But strange to stay, not a cheer was given, 
nor did a single yell awake the echoes of the sur- 
rounding hills. The prisoners went about with a 
dazed, stupefied stare. They were actually afraid 
to trust their own senses, for fear it would turn out 
to be only a delusion. 

It was some time before any one ventured out- 
side the stockade, and when we did find out that 
we were free to go where we pleased, comrades 
met comrades with a firm grasp of the hand, eyes 
moist with tears, and hearts too full for utterance, 
except a fervent " Thank God ! " 

But the great war of the rebellion was drawing 
to a close. Maj. Gen. Pope had already demand- 
ed the surrender of the Trans-Mississippi Depart- 
ment. Then followed the negotiations, but before 
a formal surrender could be agreed upon, the Tex- 
as troops held a conference, and resolved to dis- 
band and go home, and began to make prep- 
arations to carry out their plans. The cavalry 
disbanded next, and plundered the country on 
their route. The Government warehouses and 
manufactories were destroyed and set on fire. The 
extensive Government works at Tyler were threat- 
ened by a mob, but the rebel soldiers appropriated 
the bulk of the supplies for their own use. 



268 THEESCAPE 

On May i6th, some rebel officers made arrange- 
ments to send us to New Orleans, but before we 
left, a number of the prisoners volunteered to en- 
close the cemetery with a fence, where over 300 
of our men lay buried, thus paying them the last 
tribute of respect that lay in our power. Among 
the foremost in this undertaking, was Lieutenant 
H. Wyman, of the 77th Illinois. 

May 17th, all the prisoners, numbering about 
1200 men, composed of the 120th Ohio, 77th and 
130th Ills, regiments, andsmall squads from various 
commands, started for Shreveport, accompanied 
by a battalion of rebel cavalry, who volunteered to 
escort us to our lines, provided that we would in- 
tercede and get favorable terms of surrender for 
them. When we reached our lines, we found that 
our services were not required, as the conditions 
of the surrender of all Confederate soldiers were 
more liberal than they would have asked, if left to 
them to make their own terms. 

We made very slow progress on our journey, for 
the reason that the country was full of disbanded 
rebel soldiers, returning to their homes. We had 
secured a number of teams, to haul our provisions 
and sick; but the rebel soldiers confiscated our 
mules and left us standing in the road, with our 
wagons. They said they had not been paid off 
for two years, and they were determined to have 
something. As often as we procured new teams, 
they were taken from us. Finally, after consider- 
able delay, we reached Shreveport, and camped 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 269 

in the suburbs. The rebel soldiers had attempted 
to burn the city the night previous to our arrival, 
in which they had partly succeeded. 

The following day, several of the Missouri offi- 
cers, who had treated us so kindly at Washington, 
Ark., paid us a visit. They seemed to be very 
much depressed at the state of affairs, but more 
particularly as they expected harsh treatment, 
should they fall into the hands of the Federal au- 
thorities, and no doubt that was the principal 
cause of so many leaving for Mexico, before the 
surrender took place. 

In a few days, we embarked on the steamboats 
and landed at the mouth of Red River, May 27th, 
where we were transferred to our steamers, under 
the " old flag, " once more. We had become 
accustomed to the slim diet of the Confederacy 
during our fourteen months imprisonment, and 
were well aware of the danger if we lost control of 
our appetites when we reached our lines, there= 
fore quite a number resolved to eat very spar- 
ingly for the first eight or ten days; but when the 
gong sounded for dinner, after we had been trans- 
ferred to our boats, the prisoners, without excep- 
tion, could be restrained no longer, but rushed into 
the cabin, casting all their resolutions to the winds, 
and ate to their hearts' content. 

The following day, we reached New Orleans, 
where the rebel Generals, Bucknerand Price, who 
had accompanied us from Shreveport, surreU' 
dered to Gen. Canby, the Trans-Mississippi De- 



270 THE ESCAPE 

partment, which completed the transfer of all the 
so-called Confederate States, to the United States 
authorities. 

The rest is soon told. The war being over, all 
the prisoners, with but few exceptions, were mus- 
tered out of the service and sent home. Among 
the latter, I was included, which terminated my 
military career. 

The following letter from the New York Tribune 
gives a graphic description of " Camp Ford, '' three 
months after our departure. 

THE REBEL PRISON AT CAMP FORD — A SECOND AN- 
DERSONVILLE. 

New York, Aug. 18, 1865.— The Tribune's Ty- 
ler (Texas j correspondent describes Camp Ford, 
near that place, a prison-pen, second only to An- 
dersonvile in the barbarism and atrocities inflicted 
upon Union prisoners for two years. The corres- 
pondent says : 

" Scourged, beaten and tortured, these prison- 
ers were too far off, and too closely guarded, for 
their groans to be heard by those in the outside 
world. Their sad story only became known from 
their own shrunken lips, after they had been ex- 
changed. It is a stockaded enclosure of about, 
I judge, eight or ten acres. This estimate includes 
all adjuncts of the prison. It is situated on the 
side of a sandy slope, at the lower edge of which, 
and just within the stockade, is a spring that sup- 
plied water to the prisoners. The enclosure, which 



AND RE-CAPTURE. 27I 

seems to have been enlarged at different times, to 
meet the requirements of rebel captures, is filled 
with huts and shanties of almost every imaginable 
shape, and constructed of every available material. 

" Two barrels, one on top of the other, form the 
chimney of a hut made of bushes, the limbs of 
which have been pressed together and plastered 
with mud. Near the point at which we entered, 
there is a number of grave-like mounds, scattered 
over the space of about one acre. I at first thought 
they were graves, but on examining, I found they 
were excavations in the ground, which had been 
covered, first with bushes, and then with dirt. 
They had been made by those of our men who had 
been captured last, and for whom there was no 
room in the huts above ground. Everywhere are 
blackened spots, which show where their fires had 
formerly been, by means of which those who had 
no shelter at all, cooked their daily mite of meat. 
Fragments of kettles and stoves, old cast-off pans, 
and flat rocks, the cooking utensils they had used, 
were strewn about, and, as I noticed in one of the 
huts, piled up with care to await future use. 

" Toward the upper side of the enclosure, where 
there seems to have been a prison for the confine- 
ment of officers, are several stumps, on the top of 
which those who violated any of the prison rules 
were made to stand and mark time, for perhaps a 
whole day, while the guard had imperative orders 
to shoot any one who stopped, or fell off from ex- 
haustion. The whole scene, with its associations. 



272 THE ESCAPE 

is a horrid illustration of the inhumanity that origi- 
nated and carried on the rebellion until its over- 
throw. Perhaps I am raking a hurtful coal from 
dead ashes, so I will stop. " 

EXIT " CAMP FORD. " 

While writing the closing events at Camp Ford, 
a letter lies before me, from Lieut. W. J. Srofe, 
written at Galveston, Texas, Dec. 21st, 1865, in 
which he says : 

* * " I saw Maj. Thos. D. Vredenburg,* of the 
loth 111. Cavalry, a short time ago. He had just 
arrived from Shreveport with his command, 'via 
Camp Ford. ' He made a halt at the stockade, 
and his bump of destructiveness was so great as to 
prompt him to leave it in ruins. Ah, my good 
fellow, it almost makes me shed tears to think of 
that master-piece of architecture, our old home, 
being thus ruthlessly destroyed by * vandal hands. ' 
When I think of the 'happy hours' spent beneath 
its roof, the * delicious feasts ' served up within its 
walls, and * refreshing ' slumbers upon its * downy ' 
beds, where we dreamed of pleasures, and the 
dear ones at home, it is too much to bear, and I 
think he deserves the censure of all the old res- 
idents of Camp Ford ! " ♦ * ♦ 

• An old Camp Ford Prisoner. 



APPENDIX. 

Additional List of Killed and Wounded of the 48th Ohio 
Vet. Vols. — List of OflScers of the 13th Army Corps, 
Prisoners at Camp Ford, Texas — Roster of the Com- 
missioned Officers of the 48th Ohio Vet. Vols. — [Roster 
of Co. C, 48th Ohio Vet. Vols.] 

RTIAL LIST of killed and wounded of the 
48th Regiment at the battle of Shiloh, April 
6th and 7th, 1862, as far as we could ascertain : 

COMPANY A. 

Killed : Clem Tudor, David Morgan, Elias 
Henry. 

Wounded : Sergeants William Willis and B. 
W. Ladd. Corporals Geo. R. Conard and Daniel 
T. Williams. Privates W. C. Edwards, John W. 
Spurlock, David Woosley, J. W. Leeka, Peter Fry. 

Missing : Chas. Rodgers. 

Taken Prisoner : Wm. Tudor. 

COMPANY B. 

Killed : Aaron Sales. 

Mortally Wounded : Elias J. Hill, Wm. James 
and L. Malott. 

Wounded Severely : First Serg't. John D. 
Nevins, Corp'l. W. N. Harvey and Simeon Sales. 

Slightly Wounded : James Brewer. 



2 74 APPENDIX. 

COMPANY C. 

Killed : Jesse Nelson. 

Mortally Wounded : Jacob Lippolt, Simpson 
Rains and John C. Hamontree. 

Severely Wounded : James Vanpelt, Edward 
Chambers, Amos Laymon, L. A. Williams, E. 
Jones, James Seal and D. B. Hogan. 

Slightly Wounded : W. A. Pratt, J. W. Hayner. 

Taken Prisoners : J. W. Hayner, E. Lafferty. 

COMPANY D. 

Killed: Serg't. John Canter, Peter Craven, 
Bushrod ^IcDonald and Milton Pavey. 

Mortally Wounded and Taken Prisoner : Albert 
West. 

Slightly Wounded : David H. Canter and Corp'l. 
John T. McElvain. 

COMPANY E. 

Killed : Isaac Duncan and I. Fox. 
Wounded : Henry Lair, Obed Macy, — Len- 
dersmith and Henry Hilderbrand. 

COMPANY F. 

Wounded : Edwin Cory, Christopher Nagle, 
George Morrison, Robert Cosgrave, James Myers, 
Frederick Hoeltzel and David Welker. 

COMPANY G. 

Killed : Richard Smith. 
Slightly Wounded : James Hair. 

COMPANY H. 

Mortally Wounded : Corporals Stephen Work- 
man and John Bardsley. 



APPENDIX. 275 

COMPANY I. 

Killed: Privates, S. Hallam, Jacob Thomas, 
Selkirk Molott, Wilson Kratzer and E. Hill. 

Mortally Wounded : First Serg't. P. M. Ever- 
hard. 

Wounded: Corporal Moses Edwards. Privates 
Geo. Weeks and Cornelius Turner. 

COMPANY K. 

Killed :' Sanfuel Doty and Hiram S. Manches- 
ter. 

Mortally Wounded : Wm. J. Helmes, John Ri- 
ley. 

Wounded : Serg't. W. J. Srofe, Corp'l. B. C. 
Bourne, F. L. Ashton, Jno. Hitesman, Wm. B. 
Kennedy and John McKenzie. 



Partial list of killed and wounded at Arkansas 
Post, Jan. II, 1863 : 

COMPANY B. 

Wounded : James Brewer, J. J.* Thompson. 

COMPANY D. 

Wounded : Corporals Allen Pierce, John T. 
McElvain and H. Luttrell. 

COMPANY E. 

Wounded : D. Craven. 

COMPANY F. 

Killed : George Blair. 

COMPANY H. 

Wounded : Serg't. Geo. M. Williams and Corp'l. 
Michael Stark. 



276 APPENDIX. 

COMPANY K. 

Killed: John W. Daily. 
Wounded : James H. Troy. 



Killed and wounded at Ft. Blakely, Alabama, 
April 9, 1865, giving the letter of the company to 
which they belonged in the 48th Ohio before the 
consolidation : 

COMPANY B. 

Mortally Wounded : John R. Lynn. 
COMPANY c. 

Wounded : Corp'l. Allen Turnipseed. 

COMPANY D. 

Killed : H. Cox. 

Wounded : J. W. Cashatt and Geo. Cox. 

^^ COMPANY G. 

Wounded : Corp'l. W. C. Robins. 

COMPANY H. 

Wounded : Riley Workman, received nine 
wounds and recovered. 

COMPANY K. 

Wounded : Elias Conover, William Lindsey. 



APPENDIX. 277 

LIST OF OFFICERS 13TH ARMY CORPS, AT 
CAMP FORD PRISON, TEXAS. 

The following is a list of the officers of the 13th 
Army Corps, captured at Sabine Cross- Roads, La., 
April 8, 1864. Also those of the 77th Ohio, cap- 
tured at Marks' Mills, and 120th Ohio, captured 
on steamer City Belle : 

I9TH KENTUCKY VOL. INF. 

Lieut. Col. John Cowan, Danville, Kentucky. 

Maj. J. I. Mann, Harrodsburg, " 

Adj't. Geo. C. Rue, 

Capt. Wm. H. Cundiff, Somerset, " 
" L. A. Hamblin, 

" Henry L. Whitehouse, Haysville, " 

" John Barnett, Antioch, " 
" H. H. Forbes, Danville, 
" Alexander Logan, Lancaster, " 

" W. F. McKinney, Stanford, " 

Lieut. V. L. Lester, Somerset, " 

" Thomas Cundiff, " " 

" Abe Whitnack, Harrodsburg, " 

" Elijah Baker, Poor Fork, '' 

" Eberle Wilson, Hustonville, " 

" Zachariah Morgan, Hazard, " 

" S. W. Hedger, Lancaster, " 

13OTH ILLINOIS VOL. INF. 

Capt. Wm. Prescott, Springfield, Illinois. 
" Jesse R. Johnson, Claremont, " 
" John W. Watts, Sumner, " 

Lieut. J. W. Paulin, Curran, " 



278 APPENDIX. 

Lieut. Wm. Harnerd, Pocahontas, Illinois. 
" R. S. Taylor, Springfield, 
*' Wm. C. Pool, Marshall, " 

" Chas. W. Johnson, Pocahontas, " 

77TH ILLINOIS VOL. INF. 

Capt. J. M. McCullock, Low Point, Illinois. 

" Joseph H. Stevison, Peoria, " 
" G. G. Stearns, Knoxville, 

Lieut. H. L. Bushnell, Peoria, " 

" M. O. Harkness, Southport, " 
" S. S. Edwards, Edwards Station, " 

" Henry Wyman, Brim field, " 

" C. F. McCullock, Low Point, " 

Chaplain J. S. McCullock, Peoria, " 

48TH OHIO VET. VOL. INF. 

Lieut. Col. J. W. Lindsey, Delaware, Ohio. 
Maj. J. A. Bering, Lynchburg, " 

Capt. James Sowry, West Milton, " 

" Daniel Gunsaullus, Fayette, Kansas. 

" Andrew M. Cochran, Greenville, O. 

" Thos. Montgomery, Lynchburg, " 
Lieut. M. McCaffrey, New Lexington, " 

" Wm. J. Srofe, Hamersville, " 

" Harvey W. Day, Mt. Oreb, " 

MISCELLANEOUS COMMANDS. 

Lieut, p. S. Evans, 96th Ohio, Marysville, O. 

" Nicholas Steinauer, 60th Ind. Tell City, 
Indiana. 

" S. W. Griffith, 32d Iowa, Berlin, Iowa. 
Capt. P. H. White, Chic. Mer. Bat., Albany, N. Y. 



APPENDIX. 279 

^ Lieut. P. S. Cone, same, Chicago, 111. 

Lieut. Col. A. M. Flora, 46th Ind., Logansport, 
Indiana. 

Capt. Wm. DeHart, same, Logansport, Ind. 

Chap. Hamilton Robb, same, Delphi, Ind. 

Lieut. Thos. Hughes, 28th la., Iowa City, la. 

12OTH OHIO VOL. INF. 

Captured on steamer City Belle, at Snaggy Point, 
Louisiana, May 3, 1864 : 

Capt. J. P. Rummell, Newville, Ohio. 

" Benj. G. Miller, Wooster, 
" Elias Froundfelter, Ashland, " 

" Benj. G. Jones, Shreve, " 

Capt. Valentine Moffat, Dalton, " 

Lieut. Harvey Applegate, Perryville, " 
" Wm. B. Millikan, Ontario, 

77TH OHIO VOL. INF. 

Captured at Marks' Mills, April 25, 1864 : 
Capt. A. W. McCormack, Cincinnati, Ohio. 

" R. H. McKitrich, 
Lieut. R. E. Smithson, Regnier's Mills, 

Sam'l. Fulton, Clarington, 

R. H. Flemming, Barlow, 

Wm. W. Scott, Barlow, 

N. B. Smith, McConnellsville, 

D. A. Marlow, Matamoras, 



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